May 8, 2008
Romans 8:18 - "For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us."
I come back to this verse time and time again because of the significance behind it. Paul said this after an incredible history. It smacks of 2 Cor 4:17 - "For momentary, light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison." (cf. Colossians 1:24) To Paul, this "momentary, light affliction" meant something much more than what it probably conjures up in our minds. Think of his own account of this in 2 Corinthians 11:24-28. Paul was on the brink of death, tortured and starved, all for the cause of Christ.
Notice here that none of these things were for crimes that we had done, but rather, because people were rejecting the message. Matthew 10:22 speaks to this cause - "hated by all because of My name." Remember the admonition that still stands today: "Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves" (Matt 10:16). Remember also Acts 24:16. Too, if you are in jail because of something wrong which you did, that is your own fault. Do not blame God for that.
"The glory that is to be revealed in us." Comparing our present sufferings to future glory is nearly impossible, but even if we were to compare present blessings with future glory there would be nothing to compare. We know that the earth and all it contains will burn up in a fervent heat (2 Peter 3:12). We also know that the entire creation groans and travails in pains (Romans 8:22), and in fact we, as believers groans within ourselves waiting for the redemption of our bodies (Romans 8:23). "We shall be like Him for we shall see Him as He is" (1 John 3:2). We also think of Isaiah who saw the Lord high and lifted up. His reaction was one of true worship. Also, Paul, who was caught up to the third heaven (2 Cor. 12:2) who describes this foretaste thus: "was caught up into Paradise and heard inexpressible words, which man is not permitted to speak" (2 Cor 12:4). Or, what about the words of John, who saw Him who sat on the throne (Revelation 20:11)? A Divine foretaste again. Following the judgment of all sin there descends upon the earth a new heaven and a new earth (Revelation 21:1). At that time God will say once more and finally - "it is done," (Rev. 21:6) and then begins a new life, unimaginable where we dwell with our Creator as was originally intended - apart from sin, face to face.
Thursday, May 22, 2008
May 6, 2008
Romans 8:12-13 - "So then, brethren, we are under obligation, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh - for if you are living according to the flesh, you must die: but if by the Spirit you are putting to death the deeds of the body, you will live."
Cf. Galatians 3:3; Galatians 5:16
Our life is to be a life of activity, not one of complacence. The idea that we are to be "putting to death" something involves will on our part. We are active participants in the battle and God does not and will not do it all for us. This really has nothing to do with salvation. Salvation is totally of the Lord alone. We are talking about post-salvation - walking in Christ, being conformed to His image. This is two-sided. On the one hand you are strengthened to do what you need to by God, but on the other hand, you have the responsibility to do what God has commanded you to do. There is no shirking it, there is no getting out of your own duties.
However, this passage does offer some solace. We know that we are to be putting to death the deeds of the body, but we do this great task through the Holy Spirit! Ah! Strength from above.
~The Means to Live~
Romans 8:12-13 - "So then, brethren, we are under obligation, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh - for if you are living according to the flesh, you must die: but if by the Spirit you are putting to death the deeds of the body, you will live."
Cf. Galatians 3:3; Galatians 5:16
Our life is to be a life of activity, not one of complacence. The idea that we are to be "putting to death" something involves will on our part. We are active participants in the battle and God does not and will not do it all for us. This really has nothing to do with salvation. Salvation is totally of the Lord alone. We are talking about post-salvation - walking in Christ, being conformed to His image. This is two-sided. On the one hand you are strengthened to do what you need to by God, but on the other hand, you have the responsibility to do what God has commanded you to do. There is no shirking it, there is no getting out of your own duties.
However, this passage does offer some solace. We know that we are to be putting to death the deeds of the body, but we do this great task through the Holy Spirit! Ah! Strength from above.
Monday, May 19, 2008
May 5, 2008
Romans 8:11 - "But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you."
How often do we quote Philippians 4:13 - "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me?" Truth be known, we quote it a lot, and probably almost flippantly at that. Indeed, we have been granted incredible power. Does it mean that we would be able to lift up a car? Probably not, though if God were to receive glory from that action then of course He would be able to grant your that power. but, power here seems to be talking about things that we as human kind have not been able to figure out. We are speaking of transcendent power. For instance, we know that in the field of microbiology scientists have been able to view the smallest particle known to man - the atom. Two questions though: How do we know that there isn't anything smaller than the atom? And, secondly, what holds all these atoms together?
That last one is the really baffling question. It doesn't make sense that these atoms just "hang around" with each other. If we could somehow figure out how to isolate these atoms we surely wouldn't be able to figure out how to get them to hold together. But, we have an answer from Scripture: "His before all things, and in Him all things hold together" (Colossians 1:17). That is incredible power that is transcendent.
Or, what about life? That is one of those other transcendent issues. We can take all the right ingredients and put them together and yet no life will come into a creature - why? God is the only One with that power - Genesis 2:7 - "then the Lord God formed man of hte dust from the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living being." So clearly, the power that is from above is transcendent, used for more than the mundane. This is the power that raised Jesus Christ from the dead. And this, Paul says, is the power that gives us spiritual life and becomes an infinite resource!
So, the next time you think about using Philippians 4:13, remember that the power that is being spoken of is much more than the mundane - it is transcendent power that goes beyond our imagination and it is available to all who believe.
~Living With Resurrection Power~
Romans 8:11 - "But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you."
How often do we quote Philippians 4:13 - "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me?" Truth be known, we quote it a lot, and probably almost flippantly at that. Indeed, we have been granted incredible power. Does it mean that we would be able to lift up a car? Probably not, though if God were to receive glory from that action then of course He would be able to grant your that power. but, power here seems to be talking about things that we as human kind have not been able to figure out. We are speaking of transcendent power. For instance, we know that in the field of microbiology scientists have been able to view the smallest particle known to man - the atom. Two questions though: How do we know that there isn't anything smaller than the atom? And, secondly, what holds all these atoms together?
That last one is the really baffling question. It doesn't make sense that these atoms just "hang around" with each other. If we could somehow figure out how to isolate these atoms we surely wouldn't be able to figure out how to get them to hold together. But, we have an answer from Scripture: "His before all things, and in Him all things hold together" (Colossians 1:17). That is incredible power that is transcendent.
Or, what about life? That is one of those other transcendent issues. We can take all the right ingredients and put them together and yet no life will come into a creature - why? God is the only One with that power - Genesis 2:7 - "then the Lord God formed man of hte dust from the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living being." So clearly, the power that is from above is transcendent, used for more than the mundane. This is the power that raised Jesus Christ from the dead. And this, Paul says, is the power that gives us spiritual life and becomes an infinite resource!
So, the next time you think about using Philippians 4:13, remember that the power that is being spoken of is much more than the mundane - it is transcendent power that goes beyond our imagination and it is available to all who believe.
May 3, 2008
Romans 8:9 - "however, you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. But if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Him."
Coming off the preceding verses we realize that the one who is truly in the flesh is incapable of pleasing God, and is in fact hostile. Thus, knowing this, the person who can have friendship with God is marked by one thing: The Holy Spirit.
Note: You are not saved, a true believer, unless you have the Spirit.
This verse does much to shatter the theology of much of the charismatic world, and those who adopt a Schaeffarian view of sanctification. The phrase "if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you" reminds the reader of 2 Corinthians 13:5. Also note the unity of the godhead in this verse: The Spirit of God is then called the Spirit of Christ. Just as I might say to my wife: "Honey, thank you for doing such and so. Oh, and sweetie, do you think that you could hep me?" You wouldn't think I was talking bout someone else - so don' do it here with the Holy Spirit - they are not two, but one and the same!
Romans 8:9 - "however, you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. But if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Him."
Coming off the preceding verses we realize that the one who is truly in the flesh is incapable of pleasing God, and is in fact hostile. Thus, knowing this, the person who can have friendship with God is marked by one thing: The Holy Spirit.
Note: You are not saved, a true believer, unless you have the Spirit.
This verse does much to shatter the theology of much of the charismatic world, and those who adopt a Schaeffarian view of sanctification. The phrase "if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you" reminds the reader of 2 Corinthians 13:5. Also note the unity of the godhead in this verse: The Spirit of God is then called the Spirit of Christ. Just as I might say to my wife: "Honey, thank you for doing such and so. Oh, and sweetie, do you think that you could hep me?" You wouldn't think I was talking bout someone else - so don' do it here with the Holy Spirit - they are not two, but one and the same!
Thursday, May 15, 2008
May 2, 2008
Romans 8:5-8 "For those who are according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who are according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. For the mind set on the flesh is death but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace, because the mind set on the flesh is hostile toward God; for it does not subject itself to the law of God, for it is not even able to do so, and those who are in the flesh cannot please God."
It seems that these verses indicate that "the flesh" refers to one who is not truly saved.
1). Death
2). Hostility toward God
3). Not able to subject itself to God
4). Unable to please God
Of course there are many parallels to a truly saved individual who is not walking according to the Spirit. That man is still at enmity with God, could ultimately die because of sin (though it would not necessarily be eternal death), and is most assuredly unable to please God, for God is never pleased with sin. "If I regard wickedness in my heart, the Lord will not hear" (Ps. 66:18).
Or, what about James 4:4 - ". . .do you not know that friendship with the world is hostility toward God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God." These verses speak of one who has a relationship with God. Therefore, the truth of Romans 8:5-8, though it clearly seems to be talking about unbelievers, has dramatic parallels to the believer. The only place where there would be a difference would be on the third point - "not able to subject itself to God," for the true believer always has the ability to turn from his sin and confess them from a heart of true repentance (1 John 1:9) to restore fellowship with his Creator!
Flee immorality (1 Cor 6:18)
Flee from idolatry (1 Cor 10:14)
Flee from these things (speaking about things that would take us away from the true doctrine of Christ, and more specifically money - which is "the root of all sorts of evil") - (1 Tim 6:11)
Flee from youthful lusts and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart. (2 Tim 2:22)
Romans 8:5-8 "For those who are according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who are according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. For the mind set on the flesh is death but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace, because the mind set on the flesh is hostile toward God; for it does not subject itself to the law of God, for it is not even able to do so, and those who are in the flesh cannot please God."
It seems that these verses indicate that "the flesh" refers to one who is not truly saved.
Note: Mind set on flesh =
1). Death
2). Hostility toward God
3). Not able to subject itself to God
4). Unable to please God
Of course there are many parallels to a truly saved individual who is not walking according to the Spirit. That man is still at enmity with God, could ultimately die because of sin (though it would not necessarily be eternal death), and is most assuredly unable to please God, for God is never pleased with sin. "If I regard wickedness in my heart, the Lord will not hear" (Ps. 66:18).
Or, what about James 4:4 - ". . .do you not know that friendship with the world is hostility toward God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God." These verses speak of one who has a relationship with God. Therefore, the truth of Romans 8:5-8, though it clearly seems to be talking about unbelievers, has dramatic parallels to the believer. The only place where there would be a difference would be on the third point - "not able to subject itself to God," for the true believer always has the ability to turn from his sin and confess them from a heart of true repentance (1 John 1:9) to restore fellowship with his Creator!
Flee immorality (1 Cor 6:18)
Flee from idolatry (1 Cor 10:14)
Flee from these things (speaking about things that would take us away from the true doctrine of Christ, and more specifically money - which is "the root of all sorts of evil") - (1 Tim 6:11)
Flee from youthful lusts and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart. (2 Tim 2:22)
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
April 30, 2008
"For what the Law could not do, weak as it was through the flesh, God did: sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and as an offering for sin, He condemned sin in the flesh." - Romans 8:3
We will never be saved by works (Titus 3:5; Eph. 2:8-9; Gal 2:21), as if that weren't obvious. But what are works? How would one define a work? A work would be something that one thinks he can do to attain salvation apart from God's unique prescription which is through Christ alone. So, how does one decide that a "work" of his will be sufficient (keeping in mind that no work will ever be sufficient apart from the work of Christ)? The answer is found in the law. Romans 2:15 says that "they show the work of the Law written in their hearts." We are conscious of a sense of right and wrong according to this verse. However, the condemnation goes further. Paul says in Romans 1:18 that mankind, in general, suppresses the truth in unrighteousness. Paul goes on to talk about this in detail in Romans 7 showing that the law becomes a schoolmaster, and, rather than making it easier to do right, it makes it painfully obvious how corrupt we are and incapable of doing right. Thus, whenever we try to do a "work" we are going off of a conscious standard (which is seared) and a quasi-moral standard (which is always in flux, driven by humanism).
We think because the law says "do not kill" that if we haven't killed then we are doing okay - forgetting about the words of Jesus Christ in Matthew 5:22. Or, what about coveting, or adultery? The issue is the heart, and all the law does is expose the true wickedness (Jer. 17:9). Thus, whenever someone thinks they can arrive at salvation with their own merit they cast off this key principle that the Law is powerless in this matter!
The law is tied to the flesh and is therefore "weak through it." It can, and does, show sinfulness and guilt but cannot cleanse. Here is what the Law could not do; and, exactly at that point, where the Law lost its potency, God stepped in, sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh (fully human yet without sin) and for sin - the only acceptable payment. Romans 8:4 goes on to say that Christ was sent so that the requirement of the Law would be fulfilled in us (through Christ) who . . . walk according to the Spirit.
~An Impotent Law~
"For what the Law could not do, weak as it was through the flesh, God did: sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and as an offering for sin, He condemned sin in the flesh." - Romans 8:3
We will never be saved by works (Titus 3:5; Eph. 2:8-9; Gal 2:21), as if that weren't obvious. But what are works? How would one define a work? A work would be something that one thinks he can do to attain salvation apart from God's unique prescription which is through Christ alone. So, how does one decide that a "work" of his will be sufficient (keeping in mind that no work will ever be sufficient apart from the work of Christ)? The answer is found in the law. Romans 2:15 says that "they show the work of the Law written in their hearts." We are conscious of a sense of right and wrong according to this verse. However, the condemnation goes further. Paul says in Romans 1:18 that mankind, in general, suppresses the truth in unrighteousness. Paul goes on to talk about this in detail in Romans 7 showing that the law becomes a schoolmaster, and, rather than making it easier to do right, it makes it painfully obvious how corrupt we are and incapable of doing right. Thus, whenever we try to do a "work" we are going off of a conscious standard (which is seared) and a quasi-moral standard (which is always in flux, driven by humanism).
We think because the law says "do not kill" that if we haven't killed then we are doing okay - forgetting about the words of Jesus Christ in Matthew 5:22. Or, what about coveting, or adultery? The issue is the heart, and all the law does is expose the true wickedness (Jer. 17:9). Thus, whenever someone thinks they can arrive at salvation with their own merit they cast off this key principle that the Law is powerless in this matter!
The law is tied to the flesh and is therefore "weak through it." It can, and does, show sinfulness and guilt but cannot cleanse. Here is what the Law could not do; and, exactly at that point, where the Law lost its potency, God stepped in, sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh (fully human yet without sin) and for sin - the only acceptable payment. Romans 8:4 goes on to say that Christ was sent so that the requirement of the Law would be fulfilled in us (through Christ) who . . . walk according to the Spirit.
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