Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof. Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God. (Rom 6:12-13)
Indeed we have victory, 1 Cor 15:55-57 declared that we have given victory over to the so called the “sting of death”. However, it was only declared in a written form. The bible contains written word of God which according to Heb 4:12, are quick and powerful and sharper than two edged sword.
There is no question when it comes to the declared Word of God that said we are given victory through Christ. However, what stated in that particular verses are Word in a written form. The Word that is written must transform into a living word on individual and in a very personal way. In other words, the Word must be applied practically in each personal life of a Christian, thus he can be called the “living epistle”. Read 2 Cor 3:3; Jam 1:22-25;
We must realize claiming the written promise of the Word is one thing but personally experiencing that promise (of victory) is entirely a different matter.
1. The written Word said, “We are more than conqueror” but in reality many are conquered by the sin dwelling in the members of their body.
In what ways Christians are conquered? Through their eyes, hands and tongue as well as the whole body. Their spirit is very willing to pray and read the bible but the body is weak to carry out what they inwardly desire deep in their spirit. Yes they are conqueror, they conquer others with their anger and anger is the same as murder. In some form or another, they were harboring bitterness, some grudges or thoughts of hatred. In doing so, they are hold accountable as murderer just the same as to a person who is found guilty of murder.
2. The written Word said, the “love of Christ shall not separate us” despite of any situation but in reality many separate themselves from God.
Many Christian their love for God is growing cold as it seen in their conduct. They always come late in the church with their excuses. They have no love to read even a small portion of the scriptures. Many are lovers of the world for they set their one foot on the church and the other foot is on the world. And yet there are many Christian (even ministers) who come and serve in the church but then eventually their passion of serving God fades away. They go and gone far away back to their former old ways.
3. The written Word said, “We are not under the law” but the truth is majority of Christians transgress the law again and again.
Do you know the right, exact and biblical definition of sin? It can be found in 1 Jn 3:4, “Sin is the transgression of the law”. And any possible sin man can commit are all cover by the Ten Commandments. If we claimed we are Christians it is very appropriate that we should not sin anymore. It means, we must not intentionally and willfully commit sin again and`again on the sin we know it is sinful and evil which forbid by the Ten Commandments. Otherwise, we are not different from the unsaved, non-Christians and from those who are not children of God.
4. And yet, the written Word said, the “Law was written in the heart” but in reality high percentage of professing Christian cannot name or memorized the Ten Commandments.
If we are going to do a survey in many Christian churches today, lots of them can only name a few commandments written in the Law. And that proves how vast majority of Christian transgress the law. Sure enough, they oftentimes were committing the sin of omission, because sin is the transgression of the law (Ten Commandments). 1 Jn 3:4. With the sin of omission comes more sin, the sin of commission (not praying, reading and meditation of the Word)
What else the written Word said:
We have the righteousness of Christ but in reality that are manifesting in many Christian they talk, act and think like the unrighteous person. The written word said we are new creation but what we see in many Christian they keep coming back again and again to their old habits. And there are many truths we could claim in the written Word.
Jesus said we must surpass the righteousness of the Pharisees (Mat.5:20). He told it so, because outwardly Pharisees looks like godly and holy and seems perfect in their ways but inwardly they are like sepulcher full of dead bones. They are hypocrites, love to be seen their “good works” in the marketplace.
Monday, May 25, 2009
Monday, May 11, 2009
Individually and Corporately we must “Work Out” the Salvation
Another emphasis why Paul instruct the Philippians church to be more obedient and to work out their salvation despite his absence in their midst is because of the possibility they may become like the Corinthian Church. As what Paul heard in that church, there is a division going on among them, one group say they are of Paul and the other group says they are of Apollos. On that matter, Paul beseech them to stop competing each other and avoid any envy and strife that will ruin their fellowship and their being one in Christ. And no doubt, many believers in this church committed adultery, sexual immorality and tell lies (2 Cor 12:20-21).
If this would be the case in many churches, similar to what occurring in the Corinthian church where it could be likely we can resemble with that kind of church? It would be just like in many workplace where if the boss or the manager or the supervisor is going to be absence for a long time, for sure quarrels, backbiting, and all sort of misconduct will build up. And in the church, there are accounts where the leaders themselves who are supposed to render good example is the one who became personally involve in such unethical and unrighteous acts. Sexual immorality, money and doctrines are the most common issues besetting the many churches until today.
And if a professing Christian will be just the same as of those members of the Corinthian church what would be the big difference with that believer from unbelievers who did murder, committed adultery, steal and tell lies?
Adding more depth, the bible said anger (grudges, thought of hatred, feeling of bitterness) is the same as murder, lustful look the same as adultery (being carnal and worldly is also adultery Jam 4:4). Others with it, such as stealing (robbing God) and lying (exaggeration is also lying) and the rest of the Ten commandment that commands us what to do and not to do are grossly violated by the believers and unbelievers alike.
In Luk 6:32-35 Christ teach the believers about on how they should treat that is pleasing and acceptable to God, the neighbor especially enemies which should be far beyond from the ability of the unbelievers on how they treat their neighbor and their enemies. From that context we can draw a very biblical strong point on how to become the saved person be different from the unsaved. The Apostle John gave a clear stands, “He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil. Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God. In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother. (1Jn 3:8-10)
Note what had said, “whosoever is born of God does not sin”. It means, those who claimed they are truly saved or “once saved always saved” must sin no more on the sin they know it is sin and evil. If he knew that murder, adultery, stealing and lie is sin and evil but then if he harbor anger, look with a lust, steal something even small of value, rob God (through tithes and offering)and talk with exaggeration, the claimed he is claiming is questionable because he still continually doing the same evil things do by the unbelievers. Therefore he is not different from them and Apostle John said, “He that committed sin is of the devil”.
In view of this matter, it is very expedient that a saved person, those who claimed they are of God, or say they are true Christian must take time to look on the mirror of the Law which is the Ten Commandments (the Law Jesus said, “Now I tell you”). Closely face themselves on that mirror so that they may see clearly their whole body if there are dirt (sin dwelling on the members of the body). One by one begin to see first the eye and then to the hands, tongue and all the way inside of the heart and in particular the head where the mind is inside. If they didn’t see any dirt there is a problem with their eye, they are spiritually blind!
The instruction of Apostle Paul applies to all Christian churches and to all individual believers. Corporately and individually all must “work out” their salvation (completely saved from the sting of death) by surpassing the Law-Ten Commandments. It literally means, each and everyone must bring out into reality what had been already “work in” in the spiritual realm. The Word put in the written form must become a living Word.
If this would be the case in many churches, similar to what occurring in the Corinthian church where it could be likely we can resemble with that kind of church? It would be just like in many workplace where if the boss or the manager or the supervisor is going to be absence for a long time, for sure quarrels, backbiting, and all sort of misconduct will build up. And in the church, there are accounts where the leaders themselves who are supposed to render good example is the one who became personally involve in such unethical and unrighteous acts. Sexual immorality, money and doctrines are the most common issues besetting the many churches until today.
And if a professing Christian will be just the same as of those members of the Corinthian church what would be the big difference with that believer from unbelievers who did murder, committed adultery, steal and tell lies?
Adding more depth, the bible said anger (grudges, thought of hatred, feeling of bitterness) is the same as murder, lustful look the same as adultery (being carnal and worldly is also adultery Jam 4:4). Others with it, such as stealing (robbing God) and lying (exaggeration is also lying) and the rest of the Ten commandment that commands us what to do and not to do are grossly violated by the believers and unbelievers alike.
In Luk 6:32-35 Christ teach the believers about on how they should treat that is pleasing and acceptable to God, the neighbor especially enemies which should be far beyond from the ability of the unbelievers on how they treat their neighbor and their enemies. From that context we can draw a very biblical strong point on how to become the saved person be different from the unsaved. The Apostle John gave a clear stands, “He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil. Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God. In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother. (1Jn 3:8-10)
Note what had said, “whosoever is born of God does not sin”. It means, those who claimed they are truly saved or “once saved always saved” must sin no more on the sin they know it is sin and evil. If he knew that murder, adultery, stealing and lie is sin and evil but then if he harbor anger, look with a lust, steal something even small of value, rob God (through tithes and offering)and talk with exaggeration, the claimed he is claiming is questionable because he still continually doing the same evil things do by the unbelievers. Therefore he is not different from them and Apostle John said, “He that committed sin is of the devil”.
In view of this matter, it is very expedient that a saved person, those who claimed they are of God, or say they are true Christian must take time to look on the mirror of the Law which is the Ten Commandments (the Law Jesus said, “Now I tell you”). Closely face themselves on that mirror so that they may see clearly their whole body if there are dirt (sin dwelling on the members of the body). One by one begin to see first the eye and then to the hands, tongue and all the way inside of the heart and in particular the head where the mind is inside. If they didn’t see any dirt there is a problem with their eye, they are spiritually blind!
The instruction of Apostle Paul applies to all Christian churches and to all individual believers. Corporately and individually all must “work out” their salvation (completely saved from the sting of death) by surpassing the Law-Ten Commandments. It literally means, each and everyone must bring out into reality what had been already “work in” in the spiritual realm. The Word put in the written form must become a living Word.
Monday, May 4, 2009
Is the "Sting" Really Gone?
O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. (1Co 15:55-57)
As what the scriptures said above, we have victory and many believers believe the sting of death or the sting itself was gone. Is it really gone?
Two important points we as Christian must fully understand about these verses.
1. We have the Victory but only in the spiritual realm
In the spiritual realm we already gained the victory God gives it to us through our Lord Jesus. The devil, the sin, death and law has no more power to undertake our spiritual position in Christ (2 Cor 5:17).
“In the spiritual reaml we are victorious through Christ, he conquered death, sin, and the world. But in the natural realm as we are in this physical body we must overcome, wrestle and gain victory on the sin dwelling in the member of our body which is the flesh that is contrary to the desire of the Spirit”
2. We have to gain Victory in the natural realm which related to our physical being
Understand that our whole being consist of the unseen and that can be seen, our spiritual being-the unseen and our physical being which can be seen. We have no problem in the spiritual being because it was already given complete solution through Christ.
Regarding the physical being which is also called the physical body the problem of sin is not yet resolve. This body that the bible called “flesh” must be conquered and must be put to death. The bible said, flesh is contrary to the spirit, the spirit regenerated by the Spirit of God resides within us. The flesh always contends to the desire of the Spirit, that’s why as what apostle Paul said “What I want to do I cannot do”, is the same thing happening within us (Rom 7:15-20). In our inmost being we want to pray and read the bible wherein our spirit is very willing. But the body which is the flesh is in no way cooperating what the spirit desires. (Gal 5:17)
Why vast majority of professing Christians their faith has been destroyed, others abandoned the faith and many are weak or have dead-faith? We must recognize the root caused how and why it happens. And we must find the core of sin as of where is sin first conceive and occur.
• It is the sting of death which is sin living in our physical being which in our body the flesh as of what was Paul seen in his own body was the sin who do it (Rom 7:20). Jesus said it is better to pluck out the right eye and cut the hand if it caused us to commit sin and throw it out than your whole body be thrown in hell. (Mat 5:29-30)
• It is the sting that makes us not doing the good things we want to do such as to pray, read, meditate and other spiritual thing necessary for spiritual growth. In simple statements, the sting makes us lazy in the things of God while it pulls us to be crazy to the lust of the eyes lust of the flesh and on the things of the world.
• The flesh that has sting ingrained in our being keep pulling us to the sin we (inwardly) hate of doing.
Unless we are not full of Holy Spirit we cannot powerfully overcome the sin dwelling in the members of our body. Neglect of the things of God consequently leads us not to become victor but a victim. It was said that, “lack prayer, less power”. In addition, ignoring (not surpassing) the law which is the Ten Commandments, the more probable caused sin dwelling in the members of the body will keep you falling back to your former condition.
• And to be more accurate, it is in the mind where the very core of the problem lies. In our inner self there was called the “Battle of the Mind” many Christians are unaware of. They overlook of what the bible said that we are call to fight the enemy not with carnal weapons (Eph 6:12). We must wage war and the fight begins first in the mind. But when Christian lacks spiritual disciplines (such as prayer and the Word) it will results to a carnal minds. And in reality in the church there are Christians who are called carnal Christian. Their one foot is in the church and the other foot is on the world.
It is well explained here in this blog that surpassing the law is the only effective means whereby the sting can be remove completely. We must "little by little" gain victory over the sin which is the sting dwelling in the members of our body.
As what the scriptures said above, we have victory and many believers believe the sting of death or the sting itself was gone. Is it really gone?
Two important points we as Christian must fully understand about these verses.
1. We have the Victory but only in the spiritual realm
In the spiritual realm we already gained the victory God gives it to us through our Lord Jesus. The devil, the sin, death and law has no more power to undertake our spiritual position in Christ (2 Cor 5:17).
“In the spiritual reaml we are victorious through Christ, he conquered death, sin, and the world. But in the natural realm as we are in this physical body we must overcome, wrestle and gain victory on the sin dwelling in the member of our body which is the flesh that is contrary to the desire of the Spirit”
2. We have to gain Victory in the natural realm which related to our physical being
Understand that our whole being consist of the unseen and that can be seen, our spiritual being-the unseen and our physical being which can be seen. We have no problem in the spiritual being because it was already given complete solution through Christ.
Regarding the physical being which is also called the physical body the problem of sin is not yet resolve. This body that the bible called “flesh” must be conquered and must be put to death. The bible said, flesh is contrary to the spirit, the spirit regenerated by the Spirit of God resides within us. The flesh always contends to the desire of the Spirit, that’s why as what apostle Paul said “What I want to do I cannot do”, is the same thing happening within us (Rom 7:15-20). In our inmost being we want to pray and read the bible wherein our spirit is very willing. But the body which is the flesh is in no way cooperating what the spirit desires. (Gal 5:17)
Why vast majority of professing Christians their faith has been destroyed, others abandoned the faith and many are weak or have dead-faith? We must recognize the root caused how and why it happens. And we must find the core of sin as of where is sin first conceive and occur.
• It is the sting of death which is sin living in our physical being which in our body the flesh as of what was Paul seen in his own body was the sin who do it (Rom 7:20). Jesus said it is better to pluck out the right eye and cut the hand if it caused us to commit sin and throw it out than your whole body be thrown in hell. (Mat 5:29-30)
• It is the sting that makes us not doing the good things we want to do such as to pray, read, meditate and other spiritual thing necessary for spiritual growth. In simple statements, the sting makes us lazy in the things of God while it pulls us to be crazy to the lust of the eyes lust of the flesh and on the things of the world.
• The flesh that has sting ingrained in our being keep pulling us to the sin we (inwardly) hate of doing.
Unless we are not full of Holy Spirit we cannot powerfully overcome the sin dwelling in the members of our body. Neglect of the things of God consequently leads us not to become victor but a victim. It was said that, “lack prayer, less power”. In addition, ignoring (not surpassing) the law which is the Ten Commandments, the more probable caused sin dwelling in the members of the body will keep you falling back to your former condition.
• And to be more accurate, it is in the mind where the very core of the problem lies. In our inner self there was called the “Battle of the Mind” many Christians are unaware of. They overlook of what the bible said that we are call to fight the enemy not with carnal weapons (Eph 6:12). We must wage war and the fight begins first in the mind. But when Christian lacks spiritual disciplines (such as prayer and the Word) it will results to a carnal minds. And in reality in the church there are Christians who are called carnal Christian. Their one foot is in the church and the other foot is on the world.
It is well explained here in this blog that surpassing the law is the only effective means whereby the sting can be remove completely. We must "little by little" gain victory over the sin which is the sting dwelling in the members of our body.
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