The Holy Spirit through Paul said that enemies of the Cross are declared in Philippians 3:18-19 to have their end in destruction.
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“ROMANS 8
(A.D. 60)
LIFE IN THE SPIRIT
1 There is therefore now no condemnation (guilt) to them which are in Christ Jesus (refers back to Rom. 6:3-5 and our being baptized into His Death, which speaks of the Crucifixion), who walk not after the flesh (depending on one’s personal strength and ability or great religious efforts in order to overcome sin), but after the Spirit (the Holy Spirit works exclusively within the legal confines of the Finished Work of Christ; our Faith in that Finished Work, i.e., “the Cross,” guarantees the help of the Holy Spirit, which guarantees Victory).
For the Law (that which we are about to give is a Law of God, devised by the Godhead in eternity past [I Pet. 1:18-20]; this Law, in fact, is “God’s Prescribed Order of Victory”) of the Spirit (Holy Spirit, i.e., “the way the Spirit works”) of Life (all life comes from Christ, but through the Holy Spirit [Jn. 16:13-14]) in Christ Jesus (any time Paul uses this term or one of its derivatives, he is, without fail, referring to what Christ did at the Cross, which makes this “life” possible) has made me free (given me total Victory) from the Law of Sin and Death (these are the two most powerful Laws in the Universe; the “Law of the Spirit of Life in Christ Jesus” alone is stronger than the “Law of Sin and Death”; this means that if the Believer attempts to live for God by any manner other than Faith in Christ and the Cross, he is doomed to failure).
3 For what the Law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh (those under Law had only their willpower, which is woefully insufficient; so despite how hard they tried, they were unable to keep the Law then, and the same inability persists presently; any person who tries to live for God by a system of laws is doomed to failure, because the Holy Spirit will not function in that capacity), God sending His Own Son (refers to man’s helpless condition, unable to save himself and unable to keep even a simple Law and, therefore, in dire need of a Saviour) in the likeness of sinful flesh (this means that Christ was really human, conformed in appearance to flesh which is characterized by sin, but yet sinless), and for sin (to atone for sin, to destroy its power, and to save and Sanctify its victims), condemned sin in the flesh (destroyed the power of sin by giving His Perfect Body as a Sacrifice for sin, which made it possible for sin to be defeated in our flesh; it was all through the Cross):
4 That the Righteousness of the Law might be fulfilled in us (the Law finding its full accomplishment in us can only be done by Faith in Christ, and what Christ has done for us at the Cross), who walk not after the flesh (not after our own strength and ability), but after the Spirit (the word “walk” refers to the manner in which we order our life; when we place our Faith in Christ and the Cross, understanding that all things come from God to us by means of the Cross, ever making it the Object of our Faith, the Holy Spirit can then work mightily within us, bringing about the Fruit of the Spirit; that is what “walking after the Spirit” actually means!).
5 For they who are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh (refers to Believers trying to live for the Lord by means other than Faith in the Cross of Christ); but they who are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit (those who place their Faith in Christ and the Cross, do so exclusively; they are doing what the Spirit desires, which alone can bring Victory).
(A.D. 60)
LIFE IN THE SPIRIT
1 There is therefore now no condemnation (guilt) to them which are in Christ Jesus (refers back to Rom. 6:3-5 and our being baptized into His Death, which speaks of the Crucifixion), who walk not after the flesh (depending on one’s personal strength and ability or great religious efforts in order to overcome sin), but after the Spirit (the Holy Spirit works exclusively within the legal confines of the Finished Work of Christ; our Faith in that Finished Work, i.e., “the Cross,” guarantees the help of the Holy Spirit, which guarantees Victory).
For the Law (that which we are about to give is a Law of God, devised by the Godhead in eternity past [I Pet. 1:18-20]; this Law, in fact, is “God’s Prescribed Order of Victory”) of the Spirit (Holy Spirit, i.e., “the way the Spirit works”) of Life (all life comes from Christ, but through the Holy Spirit [Jn. 16:13-14]) in Christ Jesus (any time Paul uses this term or one of its derivatives, he is, without fail, referring to what Christ did at the Cross, which makes this “life” possible) has made me free (given me total Victory) from the Law of Sin and Death (these are the two most powerful Laws in the Universe; the “Law of the Spirit of Life in Christ Jesus” alone is stronger than the “Law of Sin and Death”; this means that if the Believer attempts to live for God by any manner other than Faith in Christ and the Cross, he is doomed to failure).
3 For what the Law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh (those under Law had only their willpower, which is woefully insufficient; so despite how hard they tried, they were unable to keep the Law then, and the same inability persists presently; any person who tries to live for God by a system of laws is doomed to failure, because the Holy Spirit will not function in that capacity), God sending His Own Son (refers to man’s helpless condition, unable to save himself and unable to keep even a simple Law and, therefore, in dire need of a Saviour) in the likeness of sinful flesh (this means that Christ was really human, conformed in appearance to flesh which is characterized by sin, but yet sinless), and for sin (to atone for sin, to destroy its power, and to save and Sanctify its victims), condemned sin in the flesh (destroyed the power of sin by giving His Perfect Body as a Sacrifice for sin, which made it possible for sin to be defeated in our flesh; it was all through the Cross):
4 That the Righteousness of the Law might be fulfilled in us (the Law finding its full accomplishment in us can only be done by Faith in Christ, and what Christ has done for us at the Cross), who walk not after the flesh (not after our own strength and ability), but after the Spirit (the word “walk” refers to the manner in which we order our life; when we place our Faith in Christ and the Cross, understanding that all things come from God to us by means of the Cross, ever making it the Object of our Faith, the Holy Spirit can then work mightily within us, bringing about the Fruit of the Spirit; that is what “walking after the Spirit” actually means!).
5 For they who are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh (refers to Believers trying to live for the Lord by means other than Faith in the Cross of Christ); but they who are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit (those who place their Faith in Christ and the Cross, do so exclusively; they are doing what the Spirit desires, which alone can bring Victory).
ROMANS 8
CONTRAST
6 For to be carnally minded is death (this doesn’t refer to watching too much television, as some think, but rather, it’s trying to live for God outside of His Prescribed Order; the results will be sin and separation from God); but to be Spiritually Minded is life and peace (God’s Prescribed Order is the Cross; this demands our constant Faith in that Finished Work, which is the Way of the Holy Spirit).
7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God (once again, this refers to attempting to live for God by means other than the Cross, which places one “against God”): for it is not subject to the Law of God, neither indeed can be (in its simplest form means that what is being done, whatever it may be, is not in God’s Prescribed Order, which is the Cross).
8 So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God (refers to the Believer attempting to live his Christian Life by means other than Faith in Christ and the Cross).
9 But you are not in the flesh (in one sense of the word is asking the question, “Since you are now a Believer and no longer depending on the flesh, why are you resorting to the flesh?”), but in the Spirit (as a Believer, you now have the privilege of being led and empowered by the Holy Spirit; however, He will do such for us only on the premise of our Faith in the Finished Work of Christ), if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you (if you are truly Saved). Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of His (Paul is saying that the work of the Spirit in our lives is made possible by what Christ did at Calvary, and the Resurrection).
10 And if Christ be in you (He is in you through the Power and Person of the Spirit [Gal. 2:20]), the body is dead because of sin (means that the physical body has been rendered helpless because of the Fall; consequently, the Believer trying to overcome by willpower presents a fruitless task); but the Spirit is life because of Righteousness (only the Holy Spirit can make us what we ought to be, which means we cannot do it ourselves; once again, He performs all that He does within the confines of the Finished Work of Christ).
11 But if the Spirit (Holy Spirit) of Him (from God) Who raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you (and He definitely does), He Who raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies (give us power in our mortal bodies that we might live a victorious life) by His Spirit Who dwells in you (we have the same Power in us, through the Spirit, that raised Christ from the dead, and is available to us only on the premise of the Cross and our Faith in that Sacrifice).
12 Therefore, Brethren (means that Paul is addressing Believers), we are debtors (refers to what we owe Jesus Christ for what He has done for us on the Cross), not to the flesh (we do not owe anything to our own ability, meaning that such cannot save us or give us victory), to live after the flesh (“living after the flesh” pertains to our works, which God can never accept, and which can never bring us victory, but rather defeat).
13 For if you live after the flesh (after your own strength and ability, which is outside of God’s Prescribed Order), you shall die (you will not be able to live a victorious, Christian life): but if you through the Spirit (by the Power of the Holy Spirit) do mortify the deeds of the body (which the Holy Spirit Alone can do), you shall live (shall walk in victory; but once again, even at the risk of being overly repetitive, we must never forget that the Spirit works totally and completely within the confines of the Cross of Christ; this means that we must ever make the Cross the Object of our Faith, giving Him latitude to work).
CONTRAST
6 For to be carnally minded is death (this doesn’t refer to watching too much television, as some think, but rather, it’s trying to live for God outside of His Prescribed Order; the results will be sin and separation from God); but to be Spiritually Minded is life and peace (God’s Prescribed Order is the Cross; this demands our constant Faith in that Finished Work, which is the Way of the Holy Spirit).
7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God (once again, this refers to attempting to live for God by means other than the Cross, which places one “against God”): for it is not subject to the Law of God, neither indeed can be (in its simplest form means that what is being done, whatever it may be, is not in God’s Prescribed Order, which is the Cross).
8 So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God (refers to the Believer attempting to live his Christian Life by means other than Faith in Christ and the Cross).
9 But you are not in the flesh (in one sense of the word is asking the question, “Since you are now a Believer and no longer depending on the flesh, why are you resorting to the flesh?”), but in the Spirit (as a Believer, you now have the privilege of being led and empowered by the Holy Spirit; however, He will do such for us only on the premise of our Faith in the Finished Work of Christ), if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you (if you are truly Saved). Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of His (Paul is saying that the work of the Spirit in our lives is made possible by what Christ did at Calvary, and the Resurrection).
10 And if Christ be in you (He is in you through the Power and Person of the Spirit [Gal. 2:20]), the body is dead because of sin (means that the physical body has been rendered helpless because of the Fall; consequently, the Believer trying to overcome by willpower presents a fruitless task); but the Spirit is life because of Righteousness (only the Holy Spirit can make us what we ought to be, which means we cannot do it ourselves; once again, He performs all that He does within the confines of the Finished Work of Christ).
11 But if the Spirit (Holy Spirit) of Him (from God) Who raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you (and He definitely does), He Who raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies (give us power in our mortal bodies that we might live a victorious life) by His Spirit Who dwells in you (we have the same Power in us, through the Spirit, that raised Christ from the dead, and is available to us only on the premise of the Cross and our Faith in that Sacrifice).
12 Therefore, Brethren (means that Paul is addressing Believers), we are debtors (refers to what we owe Jesus Christ for what He has done for us on the Cross), not to the flesh (we do not owe anything to our own ability, meaning that such cannot save us or give us victory), to live after the flesh (“living after the flesh” pertains to our works, which God can never accept, and which can never bring us victory, but rather defeat).
13 For if you live after the flesh (after your own strength and ability, which is outside of God’s Prescribed Order), you shall die (you will not be able to live a victorious, Christian life): but if you through the Spirit (by the Power of the Holy Spirit) do mortify the deeds of the body (which the Holy Spirit Alone can do), you shall live (shall walk in victory; but once again, even at the risk of being overly repetitive, we must never forget that the Spirit works totally and completely within the confines of the Cross of Christ; this means that we must ever make the Cross the Object of our Faith, giving Him latitude to work).
ROMANS 8
DELIVERANCE
14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God (the Spirit will always lead us to the Cross), they are the Sons of God (we live as Sons of God, which refers to total Victory within every respect of our lives; if the sin nature is dominating a person, he certainly isn’t living as a son of God).
15 For you have not received the spirit of bondage (to try to live after a system of works and laws will only succeed in placing one in “bondage”) again to fear (such living creates a perpetual climate of fear in the heart of such a Believer); but you have received the Spirit of Adoption (the Holy Spirit has adopted us into the Family of God), whereby we cry, Abba, Father (the Holy Spirit enables the Child of God to call God “Father,” which is done so because of Jesus Christ).
16 The Spirit itself (Himself) bears witness with our spirit (means that He is constantly speaking and witnessing certain things to us), that we are the Children of God (meaning that we are such now, and should enjoy all the privileges of such; we can do so if we will understand that all these privileges come to us from God, by the means of the Cross):
17 And if children (Children of God), then heirs (a privilege); heirs of God (the highest enrichment of all), and joint-heirs with Christ (everything that belongs to Christ belongs to us through the Cross, which was done for us); if so be that we suffer with Him (doesn’t pertain to mere suffering, but rather suffering “with Him,” referring to His Suffering at the Cross, which brought us total Victory), that we may be also glorified together (He has been glorified, and we shall be glorified; all made possible by the Cross).
18 For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time (speaks of the world and its condition because of the Fall) are not worthy to be compared with the glory (the glory of the coming future time will bear no relation to the misery of this present time) which shall be revealed in us (our Glory will be a reflective Glory, coming from Christ).
19 For the earnest expectation of the creature (should have been translated, “for the earnest expectation of the Creation”) waits for the manifestation of the sons of God (pertains to the coming Resurrection of Life).
20 For the creature (Creation) was made subject to vanity (Adam’s Fall signaled the fall of Creation), not willingly (the Creation did not sin, even as such cannot sin, but became subject to the result of sin, which is death), but by reason of Him Who has subjected the same in Hope (speaks of God as the One Who passed sentence because of Adam’s Fall, but at the same time gave us a “Hope”; that “Hope” is Christ, Who will rectify all things),
21 Because the creature (Creation) itself also shall be delivered (presents this “Hope” as effecting that Deliverance, which He did by the Cross) from the bondage of corruption (speaks of mortality, i.e., “death”) into the glorious liberty of the Children of God (when man fell, Creation fell! when man shall be delivered, Creation will be delivered as well, and is expressed in the word “also”).
22 For we know that the whole Creation (everything has been affected by Satan’s rebellion and Adam’s Fall) groans and travails in pain together until now (refers to the common longing of the elements of the Creation to be brought back to their original perfection).
DELIVERANCE
14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God (the Spirit will always lead us to the Cross), they are the Sons of God (we live as Sons of God, which refers to total Victory within every respect of our lives; if the sin nature is dominating a person, he certainly isn’t living as a son of God).
15 For you have not received the spirit of bondage (to try to live after a system of works and laws will only succeed in placing one in “bondage”) again to fear (such living creates a perpetual climate of fear in the heart of such a Believer); but you have received the Spirit of Adoption (the Holy Spirit has adopted us into the Family of God), whereby we cry, Abba, Father (the Holy Spirit enables the Child of God to call God “Father,” which is done so because of Jesus Christ).
16 The Spirit itself (Himself) bears witness with our spirit (means that He is constantly speaking and witnessing certain things to us), that we are the Children of God (meaning that we are such now, and should enjoy all the privileges of such; we can do so if we will understand that all these privileges come to us from God, by the means of the Cross):
17 And if children (Children of God), then heirs (a privilege); heirs of God (the highest enrichment of all), and joint-heirs with Christ (everything that belongs to Christ belongs to us through the Cross, which was done for us); if so be that we suffer with Him (doesn’t pertain to mere suffering, but rather suffering “with Him,” referring to His Suffering at the Cross, which brought us total Victory), that we may be also glorified together (He has been glorified, and we shall be glorified; all made possible by the Cross).
18 For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time (speaks of the world and its condition because of the Fall) are not worthy to be compared with the glory (the glory of the coming future time will bear no relation to the misery of this present time) which shall be revealed in us (our Glory will be a reflective Glory, coming from Christ).
19 For the earnest expectation of the creature (should have been translated, “for the earnest expectation of the Creation”) waits for the manifestation of the sons of God (pertains to the coming Resurrection of Life).
20 For the creature (Creation) was made subject to vanity (Adam’s Fall signaled the fall of Creation), not willingly (the Creation did not sin, even as such cannot sin, but became subject to the result of sin, which is death), but by reason of Him Who has subjected the same in Hope (speaks of God as the One Who passed sentence because of Adam’s Fall, but at the same time gave us a “Hope”; that “Hope” is Christ, Who will rectify all things),
21 Because the creature (Creation) itself also shall be delivered (presents this “Hope” as effecting that Deliverance, which He did by the Cross) from the bondage of corruption (speaks of mortality, i.e., “death”) into the glorious liberty of the Children of God (when man fell, Creation fell! when man shall be delivered, Creation will be delivered as well, and is expressed in the word “also”).
22 For we know that the whole Creation (everything has been affected by Satan’s rebellion and Adam’s Fall) groans and travails in pain together until now (refers to the common longing of the elements of the Creation to be brought back to their original perfection).
ROMANS 8
23 And not only they (the Creation, and all it entails), but ourselves also (refers to Believers), which have the Firstfruits of the Spirit (even though Jesus addressed every single thing lost in the Fall at the Cross, we only have a part of that possession now, with the balance coming at the Resurrection), even we ourselves groan within ourselves (proclaims the obvious fact that all Jesus paid for in the Atonement has not yet been fully realized), waiting for the Adoption (should be translated, “waiting for the fulfillment of the process, which Adoption into the Family of God guarantees”), to wit, the Redemption of our body (the glorifying of our physical body that will take place at the Resurrection).
24 For we are saved by hope (means that the greater part of our Salvation is yet future): but hope that is seen is not hope (proclaims in another way the great Truth that all Salvation affords is not yet given unto the Believer): for what a man sees, why does he yet hope for? (In effect, this bluntly tells us that what is coming is so far beyond that which is here at the present, as to be no comparison.)
25 But if we hope for that we see not (plainly tells us that more, much more, is coming), then do we with patience wait for it (proclaims the certitude of its coming, because the Holy Spirit has promised it would).
26 Likewise the Spirit (Holy Spirit) also helps our infirmities (the help given to us by the Holy Spirit is made possible in its entirety by and through what Jesus did at the Cross): for we know not what we should pray for as we ought (signals the significance of prayer, but also that without the Holy Spirit, all is to no avail): but the Spirit itself (Himself) makes intercession for us (He petitions or intercedes on our behalf) with groanings which cannot be uttered (not groanings on the part of the Holy Spirit, but rather on our part, which pertains to that which comes from the heart and cannot properly be put into words).
27 And He Who searches the hearts (God the Father) knows what is the Mind of the Spirit (what the Spirit wants done, and not what we want done), because He (Holy Spirit) makes intercession for the Saints according to the Will of God (the overriding goal of the Spirit is to carry out the Will of God in our lives, not our personal wills; in other words, the Spirit is not a glorified bellhop).
23 And not only they (the Creation, and all it entails), but ourselves also (refers to Believers), which have the Firstfruits of the Spirit (even though Jesus addressed every single thing lost in the Fall at the Cross, we only have a part of that possession now, with the balance coming at the Resurrection), even we ourselves groan within ourselves (proclaims the obvious fact that all Jesus paid for in the Atonement has not yet been fully realized), waiting for the Adoption (should be translated, “waiting for the fulfillment of the process, which Adoption into the Family of God guarantees”), to wit, the Redemption of our body (the glorifying of our physical body that will take place at the Resurrection).
24 For we are saved by hope (means that the greater part of our Salvation is yet future): but hope that is seen is not hope (proclaims in another way the great Truth that all Salvation affords is not yet given unto the Believer): for what a man sees, why does he yet hope for? (In effect, this bluntly tells us that what is coming is so far beyond that which is here at the present, as to be no comparison.)
25 But if we hope for that we see not (plainly tells us that more, much more, is coming), then do we with patience wait for it (proclaims the certitude of its coming, because the Holy Spirit has promised it would).
26 Likewise the Spirit (Holy Spirit) also helps our infirmities (the help given to us by the Holy Spirit is made possible in its entirety by and through what Jesus did at the Cross): for we know not what we should pray for as we ought (signals the significance of prayer, but also that without the Holy Spirit, all is to no avail): but the Spirit itself (Himself) makes intercession for us (He petitions or intercedes on our behalf) with groanings which cannot be uttered (not groanings on the part of the Holy Spirit, but rather on our part, which pertains to that which comes from the heart and cannot properly be put into words).
27 And He Who searches the hearts (God the Father) knows what is the Mind of the Spirit (what the Spirit wants done, and not what we want done), because He (Holy Spirit) makes intercession for the Saints according to the Will of God (the overriding goal of the Spirit is to carry out the Will of God in our lives, not our personal wills; in other words, the Spirit is not a glorified bellhop).
ROMANS 8
CONQUERORS
28 And we know that all things work together for good (but only if certain conditions are met) to them who love God (the first condition), to them who are the called according to His purpose (this means it’s “His Purpose, and not ours,” which is the second condition; otherwise, all things will not work together for our good).
29 For whom He (God) did foreknow (God’s foreknowledge), He also did predestinate to be conformed to the Image of His Son (it is never the person that is predestined, but rather the Plan), that He (Jesus) might be the Firstborn among many Brethren (doesn’t mean that Jesus was Born-Again as a sinner, as some teach, but rather that He is the Father of the Salvation Plan, having paid the price on the Cross, which made it all possible).
30 Moreover whom He (God) did predestinate (to be conformed to the Image of His Son), them He also called (without that “Call,” man cannot be saved; sadly, many refuse the “Call” [Prov. 1:24-33]): and whom He called, them He also justified (those who responded faithfully to the Call): and whom He justified, them He also glorified (shall glorify at the Resurrection; Justification guarantees it will be done).
31 What shall we then say to these things? (This refers to the suffering presently endured [Vss. 17-18] in comparison to “the Glory which shall be revealed in us.”) If God be for us (should have been translated, “since God is for us”), who can be against us? (It is who can be against us that will really matter.)
32 He Who spared not His Own Son (concerns the Great Gift of God, i.e., the Lord Jesus Christ), but delivered Him up for us all (the Cross), how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things? (We can have all things that pertain to Life and Godliness, which Jesus paid for at the Cross, providing our Faith is ever in Christ and the Cross [II Pet. 1:3-7].)
33 Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God’s elect? (In effect, means, “Who shall pronounce those guilty whom God pronounces Righteous?”) It is God who justifies (it is God Who sets the rules for Justification, not man).
34 Who is he who condemns? (No man has the right to condemn God’s Justification Plan.) It is Christ Who died (if one condemns a Believer who is trusting Christ solely for Justification and Sanctification, he is at the same time condemning Christ and His Death on the Cross), yea rather, Who is risen again (the Resurrection ratified the fact that Jesus was the Perfect Sacrifice, and that God accepted Him as such), Who is even at the Right Hand of God (refers to the exaltation of Christ), Who also makes intercession for us (at the Right Hand of God, showing that His Sacrifice has been accepted, which guarantees intercession for us).
35 Who shall separate us from the Love of Christ? (This speaks of the Love of Christ for the Believer, instead of the Believer’s Love for Christ.) shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? (We are protected against all outside influence, but not from ourselves. If a person so desires, he can separate himself from the Love of Christ by rejecting the Cross.)
36 As it is written (Ps. 44:22), For Your sake we are killed all the day long (the world has always been opposed to Christ and what He did at the Cross; regrettably, so is most of the Church); we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter (the way the world looks at us; in their eyes, we are fit only for slaughter).
37 Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors (it is a Holy arrogance of Victory and the Might of Christ) through Him Who loved us (He loved us enough to give His Life on the Cross, which alone makes us “more than conquerors”).
38 For I am persuaded (the Apostle has faced the things of which he now speaks), that neither death, nor life, nor Angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,
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 (this Love of God extended to us is made possible solely by Christ, and what He has done for us at the Cross; once again, this is God’s Love for us, which never wavers because we are “in Christ Jesus”)."
JSM
CONQUERORS
28 And we know that all things work together for good (but only if certain conditions are met) to them who love God (the first condition), to them who are the called according to His purpose (this means it’s “His Purpose, and not ours,” which is the second condition; otherwise, all things will not work together for our good).
29 For whom He (God) did foreknow (God’s foreknowledge), He also did predestinate to be conformed to the Image of His Son (it is never the person that is predestined, but rather the Plan), that He (Jesus) might be the Firstborn among many Brethren (doesn’t mean that Jesus was Born-Again as a sinner, as some teach, but rather that He is the Father of the Salvation Plan, having paid the price on the Cross, which made it all possible).
30 Moreover whom He (God) did predestinate (to be conformed to the Image of His Son), them He also called (without that “Call,” man cannot be saved; sadly, many refuse the “Call” [Prov. 1:24-33]): and whom He called, them He also justified (those who responded faithfully to the Call): and whom He justified, them He also glorified (shall glorify at the Resurrection; Justification guarantees it will be done).
31 What shall we then say to these things? (This refers to the suffering presently endured [Vss. 17-18] in comparison to “the Glory which shall be revealed in us.”) If God be for us (should have been translated, “since God is for us”), who can be against us? (It is who can be against us that will really matter.)
32 He Who spared not His Own Son (concerns the Great Gift of God, i.e., the Lord Jesus Christ), but delivered Him up for us all (the Cross), how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things? (We can have all things that pertain to Life and Godliness, which Jesus paid for at the Cross, providing our Faith is ever in Christ and the Cross [II Pet. 1:3-7].)
33 Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God’s elect? (In effect, means, “Who shall pronounce those guilty whom God pronounces Righteous?”) It is God who justifies (it is God Who sets the rules for Justification, not man).
34 Who is he who condemns? (No man has the right to condemn God’s Justification Plan.) It is Christ Who died (if one condemns a Believer who is trusting Christ solely for Justification and Sanctification, he is at the same time condemning Christ and His Death on the Cross), yea rather, Who is risen again (the Resurrection ratified the fact that Jesus was the Perfect Sacrifice, and that God accepted Him as such), Who is even at the Right Hand of God (refers to the exaltation of Christ), Who also makes intercession for us (at the Right Hand of God, showing that His Sacrifice has been accepted, which guarantees intercession for us).
35 Who shall separate us from the Love of Christ? (This speaks of the Love of Christ for the Believer, instead of the Believer’s Love for Christ.) shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? (We are protected against all outside influence, but not from ourselves. If a person so desires, he can separate himself from the Love of Christ by rejecting the Cross.)
36 As it is written (Ps. 44:22), For Your sake we are killed all the day long (the world has always been opposed to Christ and what He did at the Cross; regrettably, so is most of the Church); we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter (the way the world looks at us; in their eyes, we are fit only for slaughter).
37 Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors (it is a Holy arrogance of Victory and the Might of Christ) through Him Who loved us (He loved us enough to give His Life on the Cross, which alone makes us “more than conquerors”).
38 For I am persuaded (the Apostle has faced the things of which he now speaks), that neither death, nor life, nor Angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,
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 (this Love of God extended to us is made possible solely by Christ, and what He has done for us at the Cross; once again, this is God’s Love for us, which never wavers because we are “in Christ Jesus”)."
JSM
Notice out of the Seven Churches only One Church had entered into that narrow way. Matthew 7:14
Paul said that ALL the Churches in Asia have forsaken him (because of the Cross). 2 Timothy 1:15
This is why only a Remnant will be saved. See Romans 11
Only one tribe of the twelve tribes of Israel came out from among the Golden Calf worshippers in Exodus 32. The Way of the Cross might feel lonely, but we are never alone!
We March On!
View attachment 222022
Out of 603,550 men who were readied for war that came out of Egypt under the power of God (Numbers 1:44-46), only two took their inheritance; Joshua (a type of Christ) and Caleb (a type of the body of Christ) (Matthew 7:14). There is only one message that changes the body of Christ into the image of Christ, and that is Jesus Christ and Him Crucified.
Paul said that ALL the Churches in Asia have forsaken him (because of the Cross). 2 Timothy 1:15
This is why only a Remnant will be saved. See Romans 11
Only one tribe of the twelve tribes of Israel came out from among the Golden Calf worshippers in Exodus 32. The Way of the Cross might feel lonely, but we are never alone!
We March On!
View attachment 222022
Out of 603,550 men who were readied for war that came out of Egypt under the power of God (Numbers 1:44-46), only two took their inheritance; Joshua (a type of Christ) and Caleb (a type of the body of Christ) (Matthew 7:14). There is only one message that changes the body of Christ into the image of Christ, and that is Jesus Christ and Him Crucified.
Galatians 6:14
But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world.
...
The Word of God given to us through Paul in this letter to the Galatians tells us that GOD FORBIDS that we glory/boast in anything other than the Cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, because it is that which saved us, separated the world from us and us from the world, and through which ALL THINGS come from the Lord to us. All sin committed and the Sin Nature itself is of this world, and knowing that faith in the Cross is the only avenue through which God delivers us from the domination of the Sin Nature, our boast should be in the Cross of Christ daily. When we are told to try harder, or to do this or to do that for Salvation or Deliverance, we just need to deny ourselves/our flesh/ and cling to that saving Truth of Christ and Him crucified.
In years past we have boasted/trusted in the Purpose Driven Life, Purpose Driven Church, The Promise Keepers, The 40 days of this or the 40 days of that, the got to be covered by this or covered by that, the words we speak, etc…, while only tightening the chains of the Sin Nature in our lives. Doesn’t matter if you agree or not, for most of the Church in Galatia probably didn’t either, but if one’s faith isn’t exclusively in the Cross of Christ, the Sin Nature is dominating them even if it is now in RELIGIOUS PRIDE, which is above all, the worse and most subtle deception that exists. Time is running out for the Children of God to be able to come back to the Cross, for most haven’t throughout past generations, for they have been too controlled by what other people would think of them. Come out from among THEM today!
Seeking God in His Word and experiencing Him through faith in the sacrifice of Christ!
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10/19/2020
Pastor Curtis
As you know, there is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death. This is called the "Tree of knowledge of good and evil." Therefore, if the believer Faith is not placed and maintained exclusively in Christ, then the works of the flesh will begin to manifest (the sin nature).
Acts of sin will turn into practicing sinning (the works of the flesh Gal. 5:19-21) when the Believer Faith is not placed exclusively in Christ and the Cross, i.e., "The Finished Work," i.e., "The Blood of Jesus."
God does not give victory to the flesh. All victory is in Jesus Christ; all victory is in Who He Is and What He accomplished for us at Calvary.
Paul tells us this in the 5th Chapter of Galatians. The entire Book of Galatians, but especially the 5th Chapter, is a warning from Paul to the Church at Galatia, which is also meant for us. The warning is that if they place their faith in anything except “Christ and Him Crucified,” that “Christ shall profit you nothing” (Gal. 5:2).
The Apostle goes on to say that if the Believer doesn’t adhere to the Way of the Spirit, which is the Way of the Cross, then works of the flesh will manifest themselves. He said:
“Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the Kingdom of God” (Gal. 5:19-21).
Now let me say it again, because it is so very important:
If the Believer doesn’t understand the Cross of Christ, as it regards Sanctification, then, in some way, one or more of these “works of the flesh” are going to manifest themselves in his life. As stated, such is inevitable! The first four, “Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, and lasciviousness,” are obvious and easily understood. But the modern Christian quickly dismisses “idolatry, witchcraft, and heresies,” thinking they do not really apply today.
Let us address that:
First of all, any suggested way of victory other than the Cross of Christ, such as the “Purpose Driven Life,” the “Government of Twelve,” the “Word of Faith,” or “Denominationalism,” etc., constitutes idolatry. In effect, it is the same as Old Testament times, when Israel would begin to worship idols instead of Jehovah. To be sure, Israel actually referred to these idols as Jehovah; but the Lord definitely did not look at it in the same manner! And neither does He look any differently at modern idolatry!
Furthermore, all of this constitutes “heresies,” in which the modern Church abounds.
Let me say it more clearly:
Any doctrine, way, scheme, or direction made up by men, which means it is devised by men and not by God, is constituted by the Lord as “heresy,” which is a “work of the flesh.” Let me say it again, and because it is so very, very important! Any way other than “Christ and Him Crucified” is, in the eyes of God, “heresy.” Once one begins to understand these “works of the flesh,” these things become more obvious.
JSM
Acts of sin will turn into practicing sinning (the works of the flesh Gal. 5:19-21) when the Believer Faith is not placed exclusively in Christ and the Cross, i.e., "The Finished Work," i.e., "The Blood of Jesus."
God does not give victory to the flesh. All victory is in Jesus Christ; all victory is in Who He Is and What He accomplished for us at Calvary.
Paul tells us this in the 5th Chapter of Galatians. The entire Book of Galatians, but especially the 5th Chapter, is a warning from Paul to the Church at Galatia, which is also meant for us. The warning is that if they place their faith in anything except “Christ and Him Crucified,” that “Christ shall profit you nothing” (Gal. 5:2).
The Apostle goes on to say that if the Believer doesn’t adhere to the Way of the Spirit, which is the Way of the Cross, then works of the flesh will manifest themselves. He said:
“Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the Kingdom of God” (Gal. 5:19-21).
Now let me say it again, because it is so very important:
If the Believer doesn’t understand the Cross of Christ, as it regards Sanctification, then, in some way, one or more of these “works of the flesh” are going to manifest themselves in his life. As stated, such is inevitable! The first four, “Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, and lasciviousness,” are obvious and easily understood. But the modern Christian quickly dismisses “idolatry, witchcraft, and heresies,” thinking they do not really apply today.
Let us address that:
First of all, any suggested way of victory other than the Cross of Christ, such as the “Purpose Driven Life,” the “Government of Twelve,” the “Word of Faith,” or “Denominationalism,” etc., constitutes idolatry. In effect, it is the same as Old Testament times, when Israel would begin to worship idols instead of Jehovah. To be sure, Israel actually referred to these idols as Jehovah; but the Lord definitely did not look at it in the same manner! And neither does He look any differently at modern idolatry!
Furthermore, all of this constitutes “heresies,” in which the modern Church abounds.
Let me say it more clearly:
Any doctrine, way, scheme, or direction made up by men, which means it is devised by men and not by God, is constituted by the Lord as “heresy,” which is a “work of the flesh.” Let me say it again, and because it is so very, very important! Any way other than “Christ and Him Crucified” is, in the eyes of God, “heresy.” Once one begins to understand these “works of the flesh,” these things become more obvious.
JSM
Don’t allow the discouraging words of Satan bullies take your crown.
The maturing Christians has one eye on the soon-coming "Judgement Seat of Christ (knowing that we will stand before our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ)!"
The scripture says, “Look to yourselves, that we lose not those things which we have wrought (is the same as Paul’s “examine yourselves” [II Cor. 13:5]), but that we receive a full reward (refers to the coming Judgment Seat of Christ, where and when every true Christian will give an account). 2 John 1:8“
Behold, I am coming quickly! Hold fast what you have, that no one may take your crown. Rev. 3:11
The maturing Christians has one eye on the soon-coming "Judgement Seat of Christ (knowing that we will stand before our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ)!"
The scripture says, “Look to yourselves, that we lose not those things which we have wrought (is the same as Paul’s “examine yourselves” [II Cor. 13:5]), but that we receive a full reward (refers to the coming Judgment Seat of Christ, where and when every true Christian will give an account). 2 John 1:8“
Behold, I am coming quickly! Hold fast what you have, that no one may take your crown. Rev. 3:11
Because after they embrace with joy the simple faith that saves they end up going to preachers and pastors and churches that pound the works salvation doctrine that you MUST do this and you Must do that and you must stop doing this and must stop doing that.. They assume preachers and pastors know what their talking about and within a few months they have completely forgotten the Way of salvation and are on some works bondage treadmill trying in vain to earn it..
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The Miracle of God’s Word
Galatians 6:17
From henceforth let no man trouble me: for I bear in my body the marks of the Lord Jesus.
Paul was saying to the Saints there in Galatia to stop accepting what the Judaizers were offering and to drop all the controversies that were doing nothing but troubling him. He tells them that he carries in his body the very marks from persecution that came from trusting in and preaching the Lord Jesus Christ, and Him alone. His mind was single, and theirs needed to be also, and once you have offered that which is right according to God’s Word, we are told to shake the dust off of our feet and move on (Matthew 10:14; Mark 6:11; Luke 9:5) as a testimony against them.
We preach Christ and Him Crucified NOT AND the whole counsel of God, but AS THE whole counsel of God just as The Apostle Paul did, for there alone will we EXPERIENCE all that comes from the Lord. All else is make-believe and fake receive religion with the name of Jesus tagged on it. Jesus is the Door to God, but the Cross is the hinge, just as He is the Light of the world, but the Cross is the switch that turns that Light on. Without faith in the Cross, we have removed ourselves from Him (Galatians 1:6, 5:1-4). This is the very reason for this letter to the Galatians. To bring their obedience back to The Truth (Galatians 3:1), for outside of faith in the blood, there is no faith in ANY OF GOD’S WORD that He will accept (Exodus 24:6-8). Cling to the Cross of Christ!
Seeking God in His Word and experiencing Him through faith in the sacrifice of Christ!
SHARE the Gospel of Jesus Christ on Social media!
Youtube: curtishutchinson316
10/22/2020
Pastor Curtis
Galatians 6:17
From henceforth let no man trouble me: for I bear in my body the marks of the Lord Jesus.
Paul was saying to the Saints there in Galatia to stop accepting what the Judaizers were offering and to drop all the controversies that were doing nothing but troubling him. He tells them that he carries in his body the very marks from persecution that came from trusting in and preaching the Lord Jesus Christ, and Him alone. His mind was single, and theirs needed to be also, and once you have offered that which is right according to God’s Word, we are told to shake the dust off of our feet and move on (Matthew 10:14; Mark 6:11; Luke 9:5) as a testimony against them.
We preach Christ and Him Crucified NOT AND the whole counsel of God, but AS THE whole counsel of God just as The Apostle Paul did, for there alone will we EXPERIENCE all that comes from the Lord. All else is make-believe and fake receive religion with the name of Jesus tagged on it. Jesus is the Door to God, but the Cross is the hinge, just as He is the Light of the world, but the Cross is the switch that turns that Light on. Without faith in the Cross, we have removed ourselves from Him (Galatians 1:6, 5:1-4). This is the very reason for this letter to the Galatians. To bring their obedience back to The Truth (Galatians 3:1), for outside of faith in the blood, there is no faith in ANY OF GOD’S WORD that He will accept (Exodus 24:6-8). Cling to the Cross of Christ!
Seeking God in His Word and experiencing Him through faith in the sacrifice of Christ!
SHARE the Gospel of Jesus Christ on Social media!
Youtube: curtishutchinson316
10/22/2020
Pastor Curtis
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Our daily Christian duty is to be found in Christ, not having our own Righteousness (self-righteousness/self-sufficiency) Phil 3:9, Gal. 2:21.
This can only be done by our Faith in Christ and the Cross (Rom. 8:2). This is what is meant by taking up our cross daily which allows the Holy Spirit to carry out His sanctification work in us. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God has before ordained that we should walk in them. Eph. 2:10, 2 Cor. 4:10-12, Phil. 2:13
This can only be done by our Faith in Christ and the Cross (Rom. 8:2). This is what is meant by taking up our cross daily which allows the Holy Spirit to carry out His sanctification work in us. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God has before ordained that we should walk in them. Eph. 2:10, 2 Cor. 4:10-12, Phil. 2:13