Jesus Rescued Me

Daisy Mahoney

I was listening to a song today entitled “Jesus Rescued Me”. In the song it talkes about the mountains in our lives seeming too high and sometime we feel we are crossing rivers that are too wide. We dont have to worry because Jesus will rescue us. He climbs our mountains with us and he even carries us across those wide rivers. He is our strength that keeps us going.I know there are some people today feeling some discouragement but just remember Psalms 46:1, God is my refuge, my strength, and a very present help in trouble. He also said, Come unto me all ye that labor and are heavey laden and i will give you rest. He willdo that for each one that feels that way. I also just want to say to my pastors, Bro. Mark and Sis. Kim, that i love you both, I am praying for you and i am there behind you to help hold up your hands when they get weary and tired. To them and my church family I just say I love you all and we know for sure that Jesus will certainly Rescue Us. Have a blessed day the rest of this day and your day tommorrow.

Written By Daisy Mahoney

Rest Assured, It’s All God

From His Bowling Pins of Thunder, To His Winds that Come Asunder, It’s All God. 

From His Rain of Tears, To His Peace that Calms My Fears, It’s All God.

From His Roaring Ocean Waves, To His Suns Glorious Blaze, It’s All God.

From His Birds’ Melody of Bliss, To His Rainbow’s Promise, It’s All God.

From His Storms that Rage of Fire, To My Hearts Own Desire, Rest Assured, It’s All God!!!

This poem was written by Angela D, Edenfield on July 22, 2004

Romans 6:3

Romans 6:1

Romans 6:3

3 “Know ye not, that so many of us as were Baptized into Jesus Christ were Baptized into his Death.”

Lets look at the beginning of this question and see just what is being said here, “Know ye not, that so many of us as were Baptized into Jesus Christ…?” This clearly and plainly is telling us that we were Baptized into Jesus Christ and not of water and some claim and many think. (1Cor. 12:13; Gal. 3:27-29; Eph. 4:5; Col. 2:11-13)

Looking into the word “Baptism” the Greek word here is “baptisma,” a little different then the normal word which is “baptizo.” Why the difference? Back then the Greek word “baptisma” was used to explain the Smith dipping a piece of hot iron into the basin of water tempering the metal.

What is being explained here and refers to “the placing of a person or thing into a new environment or into union with something else so as to alter its condition or its relationship to its previous environment or condition. It refers to the Act of God introducing a believing sinner into vital union with Jesus Christ, in order that the Believer might have the power of his sinful nature broken and the Divine nature implanted through his identification with Christ in His Death, Burial, and Resurrection, this altering the condition & relationship of that sinner with regard to his previous state and environment, bringing him into a new environment, the Kingdom of God.” Jimmy Swaggart Bible Commentary Romans pg 183

With that said lets look at the conclusion of this verses statement. “Were Baptized into His Death?” This part of the question can be confusing if not seen in the right light. So to begin let me say that what this is referring to is God placing us in Christ when Christ died. Why? So that we might share Christ’s death and in doing so come into the benefits of that identification with Him. In essence separated from the evil nature as part of the Salvation process when we first believed.

We are now placed in a new environment, “In Christ.” With the old one being the first Adam in whom we have become sinners do the original sin of Adam. Due to our new environment, “In Christ,” we now have Righteousness and Life. Our condition has changed from sinner to Saint, instantly.

Whenever the sinner places his faith in what Jesus Christ did at Calvary, God the Father places that sinner in Christ at the time of His death, So then in the mind of God when Jesus paid the price it is the same is the sinner paying the price, although we must understand that in no way can the sinner have paid that price except and only through Jesus Christ. The bottom line is that what Jesus did is awarded to the believing sinner.

When the Blood of Jesus Christ was poured out at Calvary the sin debt was completely paid for. This means that Satan has no more claim over the believing sinner because the sin debt was broken and once and for all and forever paid at Calvary. All of this comes by simply having Faith in Christ, John 3:16.

Click Here for — Romans 6:2

Evolution vs God

Why Sunday School Stinks

Original Article at: http://www.crosswalk.com/blogs/christian-trends/why-sunday-school-stinks.html?utm_source=Crosswalk%20Pastors%20Weekly&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=08/09/2013

It wasn’t until college that the scales finally dropped from my eyes and I began to see the Bible as one large story of God’s grace and redemption through Jesus; a story that spans the Old and New Testaments and is interwoven throughout every character, every story, every chapter and every book of the Bible.

Before that point, the Bible was (to me) a large collection of different stories with important moral lessons. I saw a common theme of God’s forgiveness and mercy, but I didn’t really see how everything pointed toward Christ and his atoning death on the Cross and his glorious resurrection.

I don’t necessarily blame my church or Sunday school teachers. I think it wasn’t really until I truly accepted Christ into my life that the Holy Spirit gave me “eyes to see” and helped me connect all the dots that I’d been missing before.

I can, however, say that in many Sunday school classes I attended as a child, the point of the lesson was often a moral one, not the gospel of God’s grace.

Tony Jones at Patheos.com writes on this very topic. He responds to a post on Beliefs of the Heart which mourns the Sunday school lessons that teach little ones to be “good little boys and girls.” These lessons, says Jones, completely miss the point.

Look at almost any Sunday school curriculum. You’ll find:

Abraham was faithful, and God made him the father of a nation. So be faithful like Abraham.

Joseph was a good little boy (unlike his “bad” brothers), and God made him Prime Minister of Egypt. So be good like Joseph.

David had a pure heart (unlike his brothers), and God made him King of Israel. So have a pure heart like David.

Esther was an obedient girl. God made her Queen of Persia and she saved God’s people. So be obedient like Esther.

Finally, if we fail to be good, Jesus will forgive us (a “P.S.” tacked onto the end).

What’s so bad about these Sunday school lessons?

Nothing really. Except that they lie about God, they lie about these “heroes of the faith,” they lie about the Bible, and they lie about the gospel. Apart from that, they are pretty good. Oh, they also create “younger brother” rebels and “older brother” Pharisees.

Is the gospel our central theme, or is it a “PS” tacked onto the end?

Is this your experience with Sunday school? How to we avoid simply giving moral lessons, and instead give our children weekly reminders of their brokenness and Jesus’ gift of redemption?

Whitney Hopler shares a few great tips for this. In her article, “How to Keep Your Youth Ministry Focused on Jesus,” she urges teachers to keep the focus on Jesus:

Break down misconceptions that kids in your youth ministry have about Jesus so they won’t be deceived and will be ready to hear and respond to the truth about Him. Teach kids critical thinking skills. Encourage them to ask questions rather than just accepting concepts they encounter about Jesus, holding those concepts up to the light of biblical truth to see whether or not they’re reliable.

I’m convinced that children grow up and leave the church in part because they’re not being confronted with their true condition- that they are desperately broken and in need of Savior. Instead, we’re often taught that if we just pray and ask and try hard enough to be brave like David or obedient like Esther, then we will be a good “Christian” approved by God and given a ticket to heaven. When we teach this, we’re setting ourselves and our kids up for failure. We can never be good enough. None of our “heroes” in the Bible were good enough. We all need Jesus. We all need God’s grace. We all need the gospel.

What do you think? Does Sunday school stink? What has your (and your children’s) experience with Sunday school looked like?

Kelly Givens is the editor of iBelieve.com.

Romans 6:2

Romans 6:2

 

 

Romans 6:1

Romans 6:2 (KJV)

 

“God Forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?”

 

The first two words in this verse tells us his answer to the question that was presented in Romans 6:1. Looking at this verse we can see that his first statement is a very emotional one and then he asks a very calculated and rational question.

 

When Paul asked the question “How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?” he is actually presenting the declaration of impossibility. Let me explain it this way.

 

What Paul is actually saying is that it is actually impossible for a Child of God to sustain the same relationship with the “sin nature” or evil nature that he had before God Saved him. You have those who believe in the “sin a little bit every day” religion which says that we as Children of God sin just as much as the unbelievers do, and this is totally Hog Wash. Why do I say this? Because we as Children of God now that we are Saved have a new nature, this nature is the Characteristics of God.

 

Please understand this, even tho we have our new nature which is the Characteristic of God, we still have the evil nature or sin nature in us at the same time. This is why Paul has treated this subject with such emotion and firmness.

 

Christians & Sin

 

We as Christians are dead to sin. Because of God’s supernatural Grace, even tho he has left the sin nature in us, has separated us from it. Before Salvation this sin nature is the master of every individual that has ever been born, other than Jesus Christ. After Salvation the believer is the master of the sin nature. Stay with me on this and you will begin to understand why Paul has taught us this on a very in-depth level. Many, many Christians do not understand this. When we begin to see this Truth we begin to realize that we have isolated the problem and now have a permanent solution or remedy for it.

 

Now, we have the question of “why does God leave this sin nature in us?” The answer is that he leaves this evil nature in us as a disciplinary measure. Let me explain.

 

When a sinner comes to Christ he is a New Creation in Christ Jesus. At this time the “sin nature” or evil nature gets extinguished like a fire that has had water thrown on it. So now that the fire is out, or in this case the power of the “sin nature” has been extinguished, there are still coal embers in there that are still burning. As long as no fuel is poured on these embers they just sit there not causing any trouble.

 

But, the moment you sin, put fuel on those embers, out of control you go. Most of the time, worse than before you were Saved.

 

Now God leaves these embers in us so that we can see and know the danger of the “sin nature” that resides in us and keeps us on our face before God and looking to Jesus Christ for guidance and strength and trusting in Him knowing that only His Strength is strong enough to help us be the overcomer expected of us. During this process we will learn about the Holy Spirit and His workings in our lives by His Leading and Guidance.

 

Sinless Perfection

 

Before I go any further I need to address some erroneous teachings that are going on in some circles that if not addressed now will cause further problems with those who are new to the Word of God… Some circles are teaching “sinless perfection.” This actually comes from those who do not really understand Sanctification the way Paul actually taught it. How do I know? Let me give you an example.

 

A very well known Evangelist and teacher of mine explained it to me this way. Some years ago a friend of his who happens to be one of the greatest Bible Scholars known today who happens to now be with the Lord, was discussing this very issue with some of the Leaders in a major Pentecostal Denomination that happened to be teaching “sinless perfection,” and the funny thing is, this Bible Scholar was a member of that particular Denomination and was rebutting this error.

 

My teacher was saying that these people that were teaching the “sinless perfection” doctrine should have known better than to be going up against this man whom had a vast knowledge of Scripture. It wasn’t but a few minutes into the discussion that this Bible Scholar had proved his point to the extent that his opponent, who was incidentally “Perfect,” lost his temper. The mans associates had to restrain him so that he would not actually physically attack him in such a violent fit of rage.

 

So much for “sinless perfection.”

 

I’m not saying this to hurt anyone’s feelings but I want to dispel the idea that man can be perfect. There has only been one man perfect on this earth and that Jesus Christ and Him Crucified. What I am saying is that anyone who happens to be perfect on this earth doesn’t need a Savior.

 

Sanctification

 

At the very moment a sinner comes to Christ he is “Washed, Sanctified, & Justified” (1 Cor. 6:11). Immediately after Salvation, Sanctification happens, which is a Work of Grace from God. To clarify this, one cannot be Justified unless he has been washed perfectly clean through Sanctification.

 

So, when we as sinners come to Christ we receive a “Standing” in Him (Christ) which never changes. But, our “State” is a whole nether story. Our “State” will change almost by the hour. This is what is called “Progressive Sanctification.” Progressive Sanctification is a process whereby the Holy Spirit is constantly working to bring our “State” up to God’s “Standing.” This is a life long process and will not stop until we are presented faultless before God and His Glory, (Jude vs. 24).

 

Also reading 1 Thess. 5:23 we can see where Paul is talking about “Progressive Sanctification”:

 

1 Thessalonians 5:23 (KJV)

23 And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly (Progressive Sanctification); and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Emancipation Proclamation

This is such a great victory that has been given to us by Jesus Christ. This proclamation has been issued by God for us to be set free from the sin nature and its slavery. Paul goes through this and teaches us this in Romans Chapter 7. Lets look at what he said:

Romans 7:14-15 (KJV)

14 For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin.

15 For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I.

Contrary to what some teach, this is not Paul speaking before he was saved. No unsaved person would make this type of statement. Sinners love sin, they may hate the results of sin, but they love the acts of sin. Paul knew he was Saved, but he didn’t understand why he sinned after his Salvation. Like many Christians today, Paul tried to not sin by his own strength. However, human endeavor will never overcome sin.

Paul, in this Chapter 6 of Romans is bringing out this Truth that enables the Believer to have constant victory over the indwelling of the sin nature. But, the moment we sin, that ugly evil nature the “sin nature” rears it ugly head and takes back the throne by dethroning the Lord Jesus Christ.

Even tho at times we will succumb to the “sin nature” the fact is we do not have to do so. And in fact, we wont if we understand our position in Christ Jesus…. NO!!!! this does not teach sinless perfection. For sinless perfection cannot be attained this side of the Resurrection. What this does teach us tho is how we can have consistent victory over sin…

These are some very cold and hard facts but true to the word of God and its teaching on the subject. Stay tuned for Romans 6:3 in our next lesson.  

Cast The First Stone

Hello Everyone, Today I want to introduce you to another Blogger that has caught my attention that I believe will be of interest to all of my readers.

I also want to say that every one of you know how I feel about Obama and how is acting as our President. But after reading this post from Julia Garrison’s blog I believe I have had to readjust my attitude and even though I feel like I do, which there is nothing wrong with how I feel, But what I do need to do is God’s will, not my will.

So here is Julia’s post in its entirety, And do feel free to visit her blog and look around:

 

 

“Urgent Message Regarding Submission To Rulers” 1Peter 2:13-17, 21-25

June 7, 2013 by Julia Garrison’s blog

The Lord has called me to tell all brothers and sisters in Christ Jesus, that we are to honor our president as it is honoring the Lord.  This is not possible with a human being alone, but all things are possible with God.  Pray in the name of Jesus to change your heart to honor all those in authority whether they are good or bad because God has anointed them to serve here.  The Lord has chosen both good and bad rulers, so we must honor the Lord’s chosen person who is in charge of our nation.  God puts people in charge whether they recognize Him or not, for His purpose to serve.  1 Peter 2:13-17, 21-25 Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every authority instituted among men; whether to the king, as the supreme authority, or to governors, who are sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to commend those who do right.  For it is God’s will that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish men.  Live as free men, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as servants of God.  Show proper respect to everyone: Love the brotherhood of believers, fear God, honor the king.  To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps.  “He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth.”  When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats.  Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly.  He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed.  For you were like sheep going astray, but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.

Satan deceives and tells lies regarding God’s truth.  Even if we don’t agree with our president, we should submit and honor him because when we do, we honor the Lord.  The only time to not submit to the authority of a bad ruler is if he or she commands us to deny God, or to do evil.  The laws we have in place are against God, however, we are not being commanded or forced into partaking in them.  If commanded or by force, we are to resist to do evil and not participate in their ways, even unto the point of death, as we have no fear of death like those who don’t have God.  By submitting and honoring those who are in charge is this:  we are not retaliating to violence as Jesus taught us, nor do we speak ill against anyone that God has chosen, including those who are against God and do wicked things.  Instead, we are taught by the Lord to pray for our enemies which are enemies to God, but seeking Him in prayer for their soul and not to gossip about them, but rather, out of sorrow in our hearts, we need to feel pity for their soul.  We need not be concerned about the things of this temporary world, for one day soon it will perish.  Our concern must be for those who are enemies to God, the lost and hurting souls who are demon possessed or oppressed and don’t have the hope we have.  We being born in the Spirit of God are called to love all people whether they love us or not.  Matthew 5:44-45 But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven.  He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and unrighteous.

Matthew 10:8 Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons.  Freely you have received, freely give. Mark 1:27 The people were all so amazed that they asked each other, “What is this? A new teaching-and with authority!  He even gives orders to evil spirits and they obey him.”  Acts 8:4-7 Those who had been scattered preached the word wherever they went.  Philip went down to a city in Samaria and proclaimed the Christ there.  When the crowds heard Philip and saw the miraculous signs he did, they all paid close attention to what he said.  With shrieks, evil spirits came out of many paralytics and cripples were healed.  Ephesians 6:10-12 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.  Put on the full armor of God so you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.  For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.  Romans 6:12-13 Do not, then, allow sin to establish any power over your mortal bodily parts to be as if it were, weapons of evil for the devil’s purposes.  But, like men rescued from certain death, put yourselves in God’s hands as weapons of good for his own purposes.  This is urgent regarding our enemies who strike us and our brethren in the faith who may cause strife with hardship, so we must take heart these words in Ephesians 4:26-27 , 29-32 In your anger do not sin.  Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold.  Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.  And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.  Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice.  Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.

Pre – Tribulation Rapture

 

Pre – Tribulation Rapture

 Picture Courtesy of     http://beginningandend.com/

First and foremost Jesus himself said that the Saints will escape the “Things that shall come to pass” in other words the Great Tribulation.

Luke 21:34-36

New King James Version (NKJV) – Courtesy of BibleGateway.com

The Importance of Watching

34 “But take heed to yourselves, lest your hearts be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness, and cares of this life, and that Day come on you unexpectedly. 35 For it will come as a snare on all those who dwell on the face of the whole earth.36 Watch therefore, and pray always that you may be counted worthyto escape all these things that will come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man.

In Matthew Chapter 24; Luke Chapter 21; & Revelation Chapter 6 – 19 we find the “Things” that we are suppose to escape and they are:

 

War, Famine, Death, Religious Persecution, Earthquakes, Signs & Wonders in the Heavens, Hail, Fire, & Blood, Sea & Rivers Turned to Blood, Falling Stars, Sun Moon & Stars Darkened, Demons Loosed Upon Earth, Scorching Sun, Dense Darkness, Demons Working Miracles & Satanic Deception.

 

Second we are fully assured that all Saints will escape the Wrath of God.

1 Thessalonians 4:16-18

New King James Version (NKJV) – Courtesy of BibleGateway.com

 

16 For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. 18 Therefore comfort one another with these words.

From this we learn that we are to have comfort from these words and are to comfort others with them as well. But we cannot do that by telling them that they are going to have to go through all of this terrible and horrible wrath first. By telling others anything different we are in essence saying that the Death of Jesus Christ was not sufficient enough for us to stand before God.

 

How can a person have Salvation that is assuring and vibrant if he/she is not assured that he will spend Eternity in Heaven as a Child of God? And how can you or anyone for that matter have “Blessed Hope” if he knows that he will have to go through Great Tribulation to get there or attain it???…

 

Third – in 2^nd Thessalonians 2:6 – 8 we are fully assured that the body of Believers, (The Church,) will escape the Wrath of God:

 

2 Thessalonians 2:6-8

King James Version (KJV) – Courtesy of BibleGateway.com

 

6 And now ye know what withholdeth that he might be revealed in his time.

7 For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way.

8 And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming:

 

So what hinders the powers of darkness from having full control today? And what really prevents the powers of darkness from revealing the Antichrist at this time?

 

There are 3 forces that are stopping the Antichrist from being revealed and they are: 1 – Governments, 2 – the Holy Spirit, & 3 – The Church. Lets look at all three of these.

 

We know that the governments are not going to be removed from this earth, right? They are going to become more prominent as time goes on and especially during the Great Tribulation Period… So truth be told, governments are not going to hinder the Antichrist and will in fact aid and abet him and his program.

 

We can also say with certainty that the Holy Spirit will not be taken out of this world during the Great Tribulation because in the book of Revelation Chapter 7 Verses 9 – 17 it clearly tells us that there will be multitudes of people saved during this period. How do we know this? Because in John 3:5-8; Eph. 2:18; & Rom. 8:9 we learn that no man is Saved except through the Ministry of the Holy Spirit.

 

We also know that in Acts 2:17-21 we are clearly told that the Holy Spirit will be present during the Great Tribulation. I am well aware that some teach that the Holy Spirit will be removed during this time but I am praying for all that read this will pray and ask God to reveal the truth in these scriptures to all who seek the truth.

 

So with 2 out of the 3 hindering causes here and fully in tact during the Great Tribulation we should come to the conclusion that the 3^rd restraint is the one that is removed from this earth just before the Tribulation. So the only real cause that is stopping the Antichrist from being revealed at this time is the Church. Once the Church is taken out of the way, or Raptured….

 

“Then shall the Wicked be revealed.” who is the Antichrist.

 

Fourth – From Revelation Chapters 4 – 19 we see a total change in God’s Attitude toward mankind. God’s Attitude changes from Mercy, which by the way has been there and taught for thousands of years, to Judgment. The Body of Christ is not seen on earth while God’s Judgment is being poured out upon sin & iniquity.

 

Absolutely nothing is said about the Church on Earth after Revelation 4:1. We do see the Church mentioned one time and that is in Heaven.

 

The Wrath of God in not to bring the Church in submission, but the unsaved world.

 

Next we will learn about the Purpose of the Rapture. Until then God Bless and may all of your studies be under the Guidance of the Holy Spirit….

 

 

Romans 6:1 pt2

Romans 6:1 – Part 2

Romans 6:1

So now we have to understand what sin is, or in this case the “Sin Nature.”

The “Sin Nature” or “Evil Nature” is the actual Adamic nature that imprisoned man in the beginning at the fall of man. This imprisonment is for all time, and to the entirety of the human race. This “sin nature” is the nature that encourages sin.

At Calvary, Jesus Christ severed this yoke and broke its hold on man. However God did let it remain, Powerless and only as a disciplinary measure… When the believer correctly follows Christ, we find that there is no problem, but, if the person yields to any temptation of sin and then tries to overcome it in the flesh, then there are serious consequences to be had.

We all, from the time of Adam and Eve till the second coming of Christ, have evil impulses. The average person does not allow too many of these evil impulses to get out of hand, but they are there nevertheless. And there are some evil impulses that we have no control over. We have all fought them day in and day out with little and even no success…

Within the pages of the Holy Bible we find there is a way for deliverance. One must be a careful reader to follow Paul through this new testament book of Romans to understand the inner workings of man’s personality, but Dear Reader, if you are truly longing for a solution and victory over all of your evil impulses then please stay with me while I walk you through this most wonderful information….

We have come to the question of, “How does God attack sin in the human race?”

First He (God) Justifies the believing sinner. By Justifying the believer I am saying that He removes the guilt and penalty of your sin. Then be bestows a Positive Righteousness, in this case Jesus Christ Himself, so that the Believer will stand Guiltless and Righteous before God’s Law during this life and for all eternity.

Second God Sanctifies the person by breaking the yoke and the sinful nature that indwells in you and then imparts His Divine Nature and freeing the Believer from the power of sin and the sin nature. This enables the individual to live a life pleasing to God. This Happens at the very moment when you put your faith in Jesus Christ and make Him your Lord and Savior.

Now this is actually followed by a process called Continued Sanctification. Why? Because we must continually yield ourselves to the Ministry of the Holy Spirit who eliminates sin from our lives so that we end up where all of the Christian virtues are present.

Third, He will Glorify the Believer when Jesus Christ comes back by transforming his/her physical body so that it is immortal, perfect and free from any indwelling of sin…

Jimmy Swaggart explains it the best so I’ll use his analogy. When the doctor talks about a germ that has infected the body he knows it is there but he has not yet identified it. So there is no way for him to know what kind of antibiotic or medicine to give you to eliminate it. But, when the doctor does figure it out he can say without a shadow of a doubt that this is what we need to remedy this germ and that is what he gives you to eliminate it.

This is the case in our sinful life. Those of us that have not isolated this sinful nature will continue to remain un-victorious over sin. But now that we have read Romans 6 and studied it in much detail we clear this matter up and Isolate this “Sin Nature” and know that we have a cure to gain consistent victory over sin in our lives.

Scripture is very clear about the identity of the sin nature. This nature indwells in all of man when they are born into this world. This is a result of Adam’s Fall. One only has to read the following to know the character of the “Sin Nature”;

Genesis 6:5

New King James Version (NKJV)

5 Then the Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.

Romans 3:10-18

New King James Version (NKJV)

10 As it is written:

“There is none righteous, no, not one;

11 There is none who understands; There is none who seeks after God.

12 They have all turned aside; They have together become unprofitable;

There is none who does good, no, not one.”

13 “Their throat is an open tomb; With their tongues they have practiced deceit”; “The poison of asps is under their lips”;

14 “Whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness.”

15 “Their feet are swift to shed blood;

16 Destruction and misery are in their ways;

17 And the way of peace they have not known.”

18 “There is no fear of God before their eyes.”

Galatians 5:19-21

New King James Version (NKJV)

19 Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, 20 idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, 21 envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.

              (Scripture Courtesy of BibleGateway.com)

We can now identify through the Holy Bible what this germ in called, “sin nature.” We can also say that this sin nature is identified as the fallen nature received because of Adam’s Fall.

Sadly to say, This nature remains in us even after Jesus Christ has saved us. We learn this from reading 1 John 1:8;

8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.

From all of this we learn that God in Salvation severes this yoke and breaks the power of this sin nature over the Believer. But, God leaves this sin nature in us only as a disciplinary measure. let me repeat that, God leaves this sin nature in us only as a disciplinary measure… Now to our benefit, if we refuse the commands of this sin nature to continue in sin by saying “yes” to Jesus Christ, then we glorify God, defeat Satan and grow in spiritual strength and stature. Amen & Amen…

If we are to gain consistent victory over this sin nature we must know 2 things.

1 – What God has done in the inner being with regard to the sin nature.

2 – What adjustments is necessary for us to make in relation to it.

These two things Paul painstakingly brings up and deals with in this 6th Chapter of Romans and we will be studying throughout this Romans Chapter 6 Study.

Paul asks these two questions in Romans 6:1 And Romans 6:14. Lets look at these two verses in a paraphrased format: “What shall we say then? Shall we who are Christians continue to habitually sustain the same relationship with the sin nature like before we were Saved so that God’s Grace might abound, thus forgiving our sins?” and “What then? Shall we continue to commit occasional acts of sin because we are not under the rule of Law, but under the lenient Sceptre of Grace?

Because Paul knew Grace, neither of these two questions occurred to him. These were written by Paul because someone else who had been listening to Paul’s sermon on Grace. This person either did not understand the implication of God’s Grace and lived under the Law or by some of the Judaizers who were not in agreement with Paul concerning the great Gospel of Grace or what we call the New Covenant.

To finish up I want you to understand that the key to understanding Romans Chapter 6 is the definite article which precedes the word “Sin” of verse 1 in the Greek Text. In effect it says “The Sin”

If we take a moment to look back at Romans 5:21 we can see in that verse that sin is looked at as reigning like a king. It is very clear that this reference is to the sinful nature and not the acts of sin. Therefore in verse one this sinful nature is spoken of and throughout this sixth chapter where this word occurs.

So in this first verse Paul asks the question, “What shall we say then?” and in doing so he is referring back to Romans 5:20, “Where sin abounded Grace did much more abound.”

In light of this statement by Paul during his sermon or teaching someone more than likely asked the following; “Paul, are you saying that God is willing to forgive sin as fast as man can commit sin? If that is the case, are we who are Christians to continue to sustain the same relationship to the evil nature like we did before we were saved thus allowing God to forgive us of those sins and displaying His Grace?”

Now, in the verses 2 – 14 we will look at the relationship of the sinful nature to the Christian, Thus teaching us how to live for God.

Click Here for — Romans 6:1 — Part 1

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© Floyd & Carolyn Cryer & TestimonyAndPrayer.wordpress.com/ 2013. Material may be quoted from and used fairly by attributing my words to me and referencing the blog site.

Above All – The Ultimate Sacrifice

Above All – The Ultimate Sacrifice.