The Letter to the Romans...

[homwardbound]

Excellent, JUST add verses 11-17 Pauls' goal was perfection; BUT He knew he would NEVER attain it in this flesh, the sinful flesh still plagues us. love hoffco

Yeah and I have never once said that I have attained perfection of me, myself ever. I have attained perfection yes, but not of me, of and from God is the only place perfection is, and am a partaker no longer an imitator trying to be, walking by Faith the same as Christ walked
I glory in my iniquities, for I need Christ and am glad when a messenger of Satan comes along to buffet me, for Humility is key to be humbled in perfection from God and Merciful to all as God is through Son, Thanks Jesus

God's grace is sufficient for me, is it for you?

 

[homwardbound]

[h=3]2 Corinthians 12:7-10[/h]Living Bible (TLB)

[SUP]7 [/SUP]I will say this: because these experiences I had were so tremendous, God was afraid I might be puffed up by them; so I was given a physical condition which has been a thorn in my flesh, a messenger from Satan to hurt and bother me and prick my pride. [SUP]8 [/SUP]Three different times I begged God to make me well again.
[SUP]9 [/SUP]Each time he said, “No. But I am with you; that is all you need. My power shows up best in weak people.” Now I am glad to boast about how weak I am; I am glad to be a living demonstration of Christ’s power, instead of showing off my own power and abilities. [SUP]10 [/SUP]Since I know it is all for Christ’s good, I am quite happy about “the thorn,” and about insults and hardships, persecutions and difficulties; for when I am weak, then I am strong—the less I have, the more I depend on him.

 

[Hoffco]

Paul's conclusion (ch7 v21-25) seems to condense what the chapter is about that while our spirit strives to do what is right we battle with our flesh but thanks to Jesus Messiah (ch8 v1) there is no condemnation because the law of the Spirit of Life has made us free. Free from what???? the law of sin and death!!!!! Praise the Lord!!!!!

I want to move on with Rom.8; But, this post of psalm6819, is great ,and gives me the opportunity to bring out balancing trues of ch 7 & ch.8. 7:25 "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." Paul knows , he just opened a can of worms, so in ch. 8, he must, balance this extreme statement: "with the flesh" = "body of death" in v.24 Paul is not a pagan Greek thinker who says, spirit is good, material is evil. Paul has a correct, God centered, creationist view, all things were created "very good". The material was created very good, but sin entered and God had to curse the spirit and the body with death. The goal of redemption is to restore and advance fallen Adam,to Christ's present spiritual/physical body. Also creation itself will be restored in ch.8. So, ch.8 follows 7 and Paul gives a new definition to "flesh"= the sinful nature" not the body, but the "law of sin and death", 8:2. OH, by the way, God saved Adam and Eve: Gen.3:21 God "made tunics of skin, and clothed them." They were the first members in the body of Christ, the church of God. Love to all, hoffco

 

[Hoffco]

We must learn the whole message of God's word. God is the sovereign almighty creator, ruler and savior of mankind. We do nothing outside of His decreed will, plan, and purpose. We are all sons God by Creation. Adam and Eve were first created in the image of God with pure knowledge of God their creator, a pure heart and pure obedience to God without sin or the knowledge of evil; But, for reasons ,know only to God, they did not eat of the tree of life to confirm them in this righteous state. For me, the reason was obvious, it was the PLAN of God to bring them to their ruin by their eating of the tree of the knowing of good and evil, as God's plan was to have Satan bring them to their ruin so He could save them by GRACE. For me, God was and is Sovereign over all, as the Word of God teaches. Eph.1:11 "being predestined according to the purpose of Him who works all things according to the counsel of His will,". It is very clear, to me, that most christians don't have a clue about the truth of God's Word. They worship a half true and a half false god, not the GOD of the Bible; So, their Belief system is all messed up. God did save Adam and Eve by GRACE, thru a blood sacrifice. Gen.3:21. "the LORD God made tunics of skin, and clothed them." They died spiritually to God, that "day" they ate the fruit, and hide themselves , but God sought them out and saved them by GRACE. God drove them, forced them out of the garden so they world not eat of the tree of Life and live forever in sin. God planned their phy. death to follow their fall into sinfulness and corruption of the image of God . God planned to recreate them spiritually back to the IMAGE which they lost in the Fall. This is God's "purpose" as seen in Rom.8:29-30, FIVE step plan: 1. LOVED, Foreknew. 2. PREDESTINATION TO eternal life, 3. CALLED by GRACE, Power and Mercy. 4JUSTIFIED by GRACE, 5. GLORIFIED by GRACE, GRACE and power. 1Thess.1:4 "Knowing, beloved brethren, your election by God." 2 Thess. "Because God from the beginning chose you for salvation through sanctifiction by the Spirit and belief in the truth," God= 100%- man =100% Love to all, Hoffco

Therefore, We are up to Romans 8: 31. But I need to comment on Rom.8:28, or I will be hung. I do not like all the evil things that come into my life, by God's appointment; But I know the bad and the good things, all, by God's working are for my good. No matter, what ever cross God sends to me to bear, I can bear them by God's grace, and progress under them. If I were more like homwardbound, and trust God more, I could enjoy life more ,I'm sure. I just have desired more converts in my ministry than God has made. For some reason, God has never entrusted many souls to my care. But, this is all for my good. And a lot of my frustrations in life are of my own making. My sin of anger has cursed my ministry. It may sound strange , but children flock to me and love me so much. This keeps me,going on. I think, I am learning, to,keep working on the root and feeding the plant and God will take care of the fruit. I used to keep examining the fruit too much. I am reminded that Jesus had His Judas, and Jesus let him work with Him and in the end,, Judas hung Himself. If someone wants to be a part of our group and behaves, I try to help them grow. Love to all. Hoffco

 

[Hoffco]

Please keep in mind that Rom.8:28 has two conditions. We must love God about all else. and be Saved according to His "Purpose". His purpose is: Rom. 8:29-30. The Fathers' ultimate plan is to make a new earth, where, we who are finished in the perfect likeness of Jesus will live for ever. Love to all of God's elect ones. Hoffco

 

[Hoffco]

I need to look at 8:26-27 "Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought , but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. Now He (Jesus) who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the spirit is, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God." If we can assure our hearts and mind, that we are truly born of God, we can claim this promise. The witness of the Spirit can only be to what is real in our hearts. If we do good ,the Spirit upholds/ assures us; but, if we do bad, the Spirit reproves us and bring us to repent. Love, Hoffco

 

[Hoffco]

I have known preachers who have preach years to get to the end of Romans. I like seeing all the trees, but don't want to miss the beauty of the forest. So, I move on to 8:31-39. Paul is building to the great climax, of SO GREAT a SALVATION God has give His children, the elect ones. This speaks of TOTAL SECURITY of those chosen for salvation. Jesus gives His sheep salvation and none of them will ever be lose again. If God has not brought you to this wonderful assurance yet, take heart, in where God has lead you so far, and keep, keeping on with Jesus. Better to be safe than assured. We are what we eat, keep eating of Jesus and you will produce the peaceable fruit of Righteousness to the full assurance of your soul. Paul says in Gal.6:9 "And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart." Love to all who endure and are more than conquerors in Christ Jesus. Hoffco

 

[homwardbound]

Therefore, We are up to Romans 8: 31. But I need to comment on Rom.8:28, or I will be hung. I do not like all the evil things that come into my life, by God's appointment; But I know the bad and the good things, all, by God's working are for my good. No matter, what ever cross God sends to me to bear, I can bear them by God's grace, and progress under them. If I were more like homwardbound, and trust God more, I could enjoy life more ,I'm sure. I just have desired more converts in my ministry than God has made. For some reason, God has never entrusted many souls to my care. But, this is all for my good. And a lot of my frustrations in life are of my own making. My sin of anger has cursed my ministry. It may sound strange , but children flock to me and love me so much. This keeps me,going on. I think, I am learning, to,keep working on the root and feeding the plant and God will take care of the fruit. I used to keep examining the fruit too much. I am reminded that Jesus had His Judas, and Jesus let him work with Him and in the end,, Judas hung Himself. If someone wants to be a part of our group and behaves, I try to help them grow. Love to all. Hoffco

All i can say Brother is keep keeping on, and it will all come together, and you will see thoroughly all the way in such excitement and thankfulness, anything that appears wrong you will laugh at, knowing That God has got it all under control
Counting all things a joy, bad or good, why? Because Faith (trust) tells you God will never give you a snake over a piece of bread, ever. Parlor tricks are from evil and make things appear bad, when they are not, if one moves around out of their seated position, and sees from others view points, seeing what they see, and that does not mean one has to attach to anothers view point, Yet connecting with others from their view might win a few to Christ?
You see I do not see as "I" have any converts ever, I do see God who has all the converts through me, for it is God's working by the Holy Spirit of truth, that does the working as this is what happened with Christ is it not?
Christ said or did nothing without the Father's lead, and all credit from Son went to Father
So in response from us are we to give all credit to Father as well, since Christ for now is at rest?
Just a little steak here to chew on Brother, if willing, and I am sure Father in you will sort out the details you think?

 

[homwardbound]

Please keep in mind that Rom.8:28 has two conditions. We must love God about all else. and be Saved according to His "Purpose". His purpose is: Rom. 8:29-30. The Fathers' ultimate plan is to make a new earth, where, we who are finished in the perfect likeness of Jesus will live for ever. Love to all of God's elect ones. Hoffco

God, Father draws us and shows us, and one either accepts the invitation or does not, toooooooooooooo simple
And if one accepts the invitation, Father begins the works of Father through Christ in us, working out our salvation to his good purpose, if only we would give up and just let it become as an apple in rest hanging on the tree branch. abiding in for the tree to mature it
As is the same with us; to trust God to do the good work that he began in us when we accepted his invitation to the wedding feast, Father is Faithful to carry on the good work Father started is Father not?

I am nobody, nothing more than a water glass for God to use whenever God sees fit, to fill me up and overflow me, "I" am hidden in Christ. This is just what I see that I have been shown.
Now every time "I" get busy as in thinking have I done all the right things, doubt has entered and things go awry, for my old man has revived and gotten in the way, and "I" am no longer taking all thoughts captive to the obedience of Christ.
So I stop and ask, God to sift out the error, I got that beset me back into a self-righteous attitude in and through pondering if I am doing right or wrong
praying for Spiritual ears to open

 

[homwardbound]

I need to look at 8:26-27 "Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought , but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. Now He (Jesus) who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the spirit is, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God." If we can assure our hearts and mind, that we are truly born of God, we can claim this promise. The witness of the Spirit can only be to what is real in our hearts. If we do good ,the Spirit upholds/ assures us; but, if we do bad, the Spirit reproves us and bring us to repent. Love, Hoffco

Thoughts Brother are the controlling factor, emotions in the lead from what one thinks as in anger stress, and worry are not of God are they?
Do emotions, anger, frustration, stress, and worry know any right or wrong?
Or do they predictably respond to whatever one is thinking at that time in thinking?

Can one be angry without angry thoughts? Is that possible to be angry, try it without any angry thoughts, see if it is possible?
So after belief we are to what? renew our minds, right? To what way of thinking, God's view or man's view, the way this world has glossed over the truth of God through Christ in a half-sham Gospel, where they are concentrated on death, and not the resurrected life of Christ that rose to give us all new life in Spirit and truth
Romans 10:9 that if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.

Paul right here, passed right on by the death, burial and straight into the resurrected Christ for us all to see it is the life that saves not the death, do you see this?

 

[homwardbound]

I have known preachers who have preach years to get to the end of Romans. I like seeing all the trees, but don't want to miss the beauty of the forest. So, I move on to 8:31-39. Paul is building to the great climax, of SO GREAT a SALVATION God has give His children, the elect ones. This speaks of TOTAL SECURITY of those chosen for salvation. Jesus gives His sheep salvation and none of them will ever be lose again. If God has not brought you to this wonderful assurance yet, take heart, in where God has lead you so far, and keep, keeping on with Jesus. Better to be safe than assured. We are what we eat, keep eating of Jesus and you will produce the peaceable fruit of Righteousness to the full assurance of your soul. Paul says in Gal.6:9 "And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart." Love to all who endure and are more than conquerors in Christ Jesus. Hoffco

Yep, you are on your way to the ned of the energy of your own flesh to stop imitating and start participating, it is all God and none of me syndrome that I am not growing tired of to remind you

If one is drowned by the rain, can the rain trouble that one any more?
So if one reckons themselves dead to the flesh carnal nature, can it trouble them any longer, if one believes they are dead are they dead? And so is new life manifested through death, in Spirit and truth?

 

[homwardbound]

I have known preachers who have preach years to get to the end of Romans. I like seeing all the trees, but don't want to miss the beauty of the forest. So, I move on to 8:31-39. Paul is building to the great climax, of SO GREAT a SALVATION God has give His children, the elect ones. This speaks of TOTAL SECURITY of those chosen for salvation. Jesus gives His sheep salvation and none of them will ever be lose again. If God has not brought you to this wonderful assurance yet, take heart, in where God has lead you so far, and keep, keeping on with Jesus. Better to be safe than assured. We are what we eat, keep eating of Jesus and you will produce the peaceable fruit of Righteousness to the full assurance of your soul. Paul says in Gal.6:9 "And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart." Love to all who endure and are more than conquerors in Christ Jesus. Hoffco

I just want you to know, you are secure in Father through Son, since you do believe, Father is carrying on the work Father has started in you, and you will know beyond a shadow of a doubt, because you do have a contrite heart, that has been changed by Father for you, because Father knows you believe
Love to you beyond measure

 

[Hoffco]

To homwardbound, thanks for you kind thoughts. I do enjoy reading your posts. You have a great assurance in your way of thinking and I will be happy to hear more of your personal ministries that you do for others. and more of your personal family life. I am so blessed to be able to invest all I am and have in this poor urban village. I have church for 50 people ever Sunday and feed them a good meal. I have 8 family members who live with me 24/7 and help me in this ministry. You can think of us as a helps mission to the poor. They work the garden growing veggies. I love the animals around the house. I love our village. I have no plans of ever returning to the states. I want to die here with my shoes on ,working. not in bed. LOL God willing. I am always digging out the canal to save from flooding the neighbor's little hut every hard rain, 2 or 3 times a year. the town does not do much for the people. and they don't like me a rich Amer. living here asking for more help for the poor. I am filling up a level spot by the house for a play ground for the children. My face book is Douglas Roberts , Chestertown New York. My old home town. I was born in Ticonderoga, N.Y. you can see pictures of our work here. This modern technology is such a blessing to us today. I talk to my family and friends back home. and will see some of them in Heaven. the others I pray for. They don't like my ways. God's ways, so they are happy I am not there. It is bad, but Jesus came to bring a sword, and our enemies will be our family. They think I am mentally ill. LOL. I like being "crazy for Jesus. LOL. Most of my Christian friends ??? think I am crazy to be here. I would like to good people like you to come over and visit and invest a few 1,000s in our building. I will be 3 stories and house like, 40 persons. for our ministry. If any retired widower would come over to get remarried and live here, we need help here in our, God's, work here. Salvation is 100% God and 100% me. He gives the life and I help Him. co-labors with Jesus. I believe life has two dementions , God's side our side. Love to all Hoffco

 

[Hoffco]

Good morning, evening for most of you. looks like a nice hot day . I need to go out and work on the play ground. Will be back later. It will be in the 90's soon. please give you insights on romans. ch.8. We will move on to ch. 9 today, God willing. Be blessed of God. Love to all, Hoffco ps. If someone would paste in Rom.9:1-5 and gets us started. please.

 

[Hoffco]

I. Salutation and Theme, 1:1-17, A. Introduction. vs. 1-7 [Paul, Christ Jesus, the gospel of God, power of resurrection, grace of apostleship, for the OBEDIENCE of faith, called as SAINTS, (holy ones by the power of God) ]. B. Paul's interests. vs. 8-15 C. Theme. vs. 16-17, The Gospel , God's POWER for salvation to believers, God is righteous, the righteous man LIVES by FAITH.
SO FAR, We see that God is talking of IMPARTED holiness of character, of Heart. created in the sinner by God's POWER.! Sanctification Begun in the new birth, "The calling" of God is the first concern of Paul. and God. Hoffco[/QUOTE]

 

[Hoffco]

II. IMPARTED Righteousness needed and the Transformation of the sinner by God's powerful GRACE. 1:18-2:29. A. The condemnation of Gentiles 1:18-32. B. The condemnation of the hypocrite Jews and the salvation of the righteous ,born again, Gentiles. 2:1-29.
Here we continue to see God's sanctifing power at work in the Gentiles, but not in the hypocrite Jews.
paul states that only a born again person will be justified in ch.2:13. Hoffco[/QUOTE]

 

[Hoffco]

C. The advantage for the Jews 3:1-8
D. The condemnation of all men 3:9-20
III. Imputed righteousness, Justification, given to sinners by Grace and by Faith. 3:21-5:14.
A. Justification, God's imputed righteousness to sinners.vs.3:21-3:31.
1. by faith, apart from the "works of the law". vs.21-23
2. by grace, a gift. v. 24
3. apart from the works of the law.v. 28
4. by faith we establish the law. v. 31
B. Justification, Imputed righteousness illustrated. 4:1-25
1. Abrahams faith, a part from the works of the law.4:1-15
2. Abrahams faith was in God. By grace he was made alive to God, born of God. 4:16-22
3. Abrahams faith was an example of our faith in Jesus Christ. 4:23-25
C. The benefits of justification,(imputed righteousness) 5:1-18
1. Peace with God, perseverance, character, hope vs. 1-5
2. Without Jesus we are: helpless, ungodly, sinners, enemies of God, vs. 6-10
3. We are reconciled and shall be saved vs.10-11
4. We are justified as a gift from Jesus . vs.12-18
D. Sanctification, Righteousness imparted, revisited. 5:19-8:39

Hoffco,[/QUOTE]

 

[Hoffco]

I will continue my outline for the next division of the book of Romans.
IV. Sanctificastion, righteousness imparted revisited. 5:19-8:29. ( I changed 5:14 to 5:19)
A. Many are/will be MADE righteous (consituted,by a new nature) by Jesus' power, His GRACE works righteousness of heart,mind and soul by the resurrection power . 5:19-21.
B. Objections answered 6:1-23.
1. Shall we sin to get grace? 6:1-14.
a. NO, We were spiritually baptised by the Spirit,into Jesus death for sin.
b. By the new birth we died to sin.
c. By he renewing of the new birth we are alive to righteousness.
d. Reconize your death to sin and your life to God /righteousness.
2. Shall we sin because we are not under the law?
a. NO, we are servants of the one we serve.
b. We are freed from sin and enslaved to God, righteousness.
c. This is the eternal life in Christ Jesus.
Hoffco[/QUOTE]

 

[Hoffco]

C. The normal Christian life, The life of freedom from the condemnation of the law, grouth in grace, and warfare with sin.
Romans 7:1-25.
1. The problem of the sin nature in us.
2. The law is, holy, righteous, good, spiritual; I am sinful.
3. I joyfully serve the law of God in my renewed nature, heart and mind.

D. Sanctification, begun, and continued. The bases of all victory over sin. Romans 8:1-39.
1. No condemnation to those who are born again of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus. v.1-2.
2. We are freed from the law of sin and death.v.2.
3. We walk in the spirit, obeying the law of God. vs.4-11.
4. The way of life in Christ is death to sin.vs.12-13.
5. Those who suffer for Jesus will be glorified. 14-27.
6. All things work together for our good. v.28.
7. God's plan, purpose, of salvation. vs.29-30.
8. God's unconditional election of persons to salvation. vs. 31-39
Hoffco[/QUOTE]

 

[Hoffco]

The posts 1035-9 are my interpretive outline of the first 8 chapters of Roman. I think it is good for any new comers to get a feel for the Bible of Romans before we open our study on the new section chs,9-11. There we will review with Paul the History of Israel; We will learn that God has two Israels: the national Israel and the saved spiritual Israel, "the Israel of God". Love to all, Hoffco

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