Unfortunately, in spite of this Truth, false teachers refuse to teach that we cannot serve two masters, and instead teach that we daily vacillate between obedience to God and obedience to the sinful nature. They like to quote Rom. 7:15-23 to prove that even Paul kept sinning even though he didn’t want to. What nonsense! What blindness to the plain language of the text! Paul says in verse 14, “I am unspiritual, sold as a slave to sin”, and then he goes on to say that he does what he hates, for though he wants to do good, he cannot carry out God’s righteous law. However, teachers who teach that this is the apostle’s actual situation, need to consider these questions:

1. Is Paul really in such a predicament after being rescued by Christ? (v. 24,25)

2. Is Paul really unspiritual and sold as a slave to sin –even when he just finished teaching throughout chapter 6 and part of chapter 7, that by belonging to Christ we’ve “been freed from sin” (6:7) and are no longer “slaves to sin” (v. 17)?

3. Is Paul really unspiritual when in 1 Cor. 2:6-16 he says he is a spiritual man by having received the Spirit (v. 12) so that he even has the mind of Christ (v. 16)?

4. Would Paul say that Jesus rescued him from being a prisoner of the law of sin (Rom. 7:24,25a), if he was still in bondage to sin?

5. Would Paul say he still remains in the sinful nature as a slave to the law of sin (v. 25b) if in chapter 8 he teaches that those who remain controlled by the sinful nature are “hostile to God” (v. 7), live in spiritual death (v. 6), are headed for eternal death (v. 13), do not have the Spirit of Christ (v. 8 ), and do not belong to Christ? (same verse)

6. Would Paul teach in Gal. 5:24, “Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires” if he himself had not done so –even though he’d already stated in 2:20 that he had been crucified with Christ so that he no longer lived, but it was Christ who lived in him? –And even though in Rom. 6:6 he states that “our old self was crucified with Him so that the body of sin might be rendered powerless, that we should no longer be slaves to sin”?

Any honest reader can clearly see that in Rom. 7:7-25 Paul was writing in present-tense form from the viewpoint of a man who desperately needs to be rescued from his slavery to sin. Paul was presenting the need and then concluding with the solution as he says, “What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death [--this body that serves sin that leads to death]? Thanks be to God –through Jesus Christ our Lord!” (v. 24,25a)

Once Christ rescued him, Paul was certainly not serving both sin and Christ! No, he was serving Christ only, which means he was “in slavery to righteousness leading to holiness.” (6:19) Paul says in 6:21 that doing sinful things result in death! Then he says, “But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves to God, the benefit you reap leads to holiness, and the result is eternal life.” (v. 22) Then the contrast again: “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (v. 23)

Friends, we must stop listening to all these “Christian” teachers who are twisting Romans 7 (and some other passages) to actually preach rebellion against Christ. We must read the Word for ourselves under the tutelage of the Spirit (1 John 2:26,27), not under men’s tutelage, and we will see that once we’ve been rescued from sin by Christ, it means just that: Rescued from sin. –Rescued from its domination over us, so that “the righteous requirements of the law might be fully met in us.” (Rom. 8:4) –In those of us “who do not live according to the sinful nature but according to the Spirit” (same verse), proving that we “have the Spirit of Christ” (v. 9) and are thus “sons of God.” (v. 14)

Sincerely,
with love,
Rachel

How do we show this? In other words, how do we prove we are Christ’s true disciples? …proving that we belong to Him? …proving that we are citizens of His Kingdom and will inherit it forever? Answer: We bear much fruit. As Jesus says, “This is to My Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be My disciples.” (John 15:8) But the fruit must be righteous fruit, fruit in keeping with repentance, fruit of the Spirit, fruit that lasts, fruit that furthers the Gospel, fruit that brings men to God, and fruit that glories God.

There is fruit that is the opposite of this. Jesus calls it “bad fruit” in Matt. 7:17 and He says it is produced by bad trees who are those who, though they may look sweet, are inwardly ferocious wolves. (v. 15) These, He says, are those who do not do God’s will and who teach falsehoods (same verse), even in the name of Jesus and while calling Him “Lord” (v. 21,22), but whose end is banishment (v. 23) to the fire. (v. 19)

There are only two kinds of trees (people) –good and bad. There are only two kinds of fruit –righteous and wicked. The bad tree is controlled by the sinful nature while the good tree is controlled by the Spirit. The first reaps destruction, the latter reaps eternal life. (Gal. 6:7-9) Those who teach differently, mock God (v. 7) and deceive themselves and others with empty words (Eph. 5:6), for God’s Word states plainly: “No immoral, impure or greedy person… has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.” (v. 5 & see also 1 Cor. 6:9,10 & Rev. 21:8)

The person who is expecting to inherit eternal life must be bearing much fruit to God. For if we were truly united with Christ in His death (Rom. 6:3-7), then we have “been freed from sin” (v. 7) and have been “united with Him in His resurrection.” (v. 5) For “The death He died, He died to sin once for all; but the life He lives, He lives to God.” (v. 10) We then, as well, are to “count ourselves dead to sin but alive to God” (see v. 11) so “that we might belong to another… [Christ] in order that we might bear fruit to God.” (7:4) Therefore, if we are alive to God, we will bear fruit to God. However, if we are still following sin, we are bearing fruit for death. “For when we were controlled by the sinful nature… we bore fruit for death.” (v. 5)

The death being spoken of is eternal death, for all humans die physically, even those who belong to Christ. The contrast is eternal death versus eternal life. (Rom. 6:23) If we sin, we are slaves to sin (v. 16), and slavery to sin leads to death (same verse), while obedience leads to righteousness. (same verse) Being a slave to righteousness leads to holiness (v. 19,22) which leads to eternal life. (v. 22) However, we cannot be slaves to both sin and righteousness, for either one or the other is our master. (v. 16,20,22 & see tomorrow’s post…)

The contrast is made, as well, in Rom. 5:21, for it says, “…just as sin reigned in death, so also grace might reign through righteousness to bring eternal life…” This “death” means eternal death –that is, condemnation (v. 16-18), but now that we have been set free from sin’s rule (6:6,7), grace rules through righteousness –which brings us eternal life. (5:21 again)

Now, does grace have reign, rule, mastery, or control over us if we are not slaves to righteousness? No, it does not. For grace does not have reign and rule through sin! In other words: Being a slave to sin forfeits grace! (See also Heb. 10:26,27) For by being controlled by the sinful nature, a person is bearing fruit for eternal death (Rom. 7:5 again) –not eternal life!

Paul asks that if by being under grace, we can allow ourselves to sin. (6:15) His answer? “By no means!” (same verse) Then he launches into the warning of being a slave to the one we obey “–whether you are slaves to sin, which leads to death, or to obedience, which leads to righteousness”. (v. 16) “But thanks be to God that, though you used to be slaves to sin [--used to be!--], you wholeheartedly obeyed the form of teaching to which you were entrusted.” (v. 17) Let’s note that the “form of teaching” –meaning “the correct doctrine”, is what is critical to be obeyed. A false teaching won’t save (Gal. 1:6-9), for it is only by the true Gospel that we are saved (1 Cor. 15:2), and this, only if we hold firmly to it. (same verse) “Otherwise, we have believed in vain.” (See same verse)

So, what is the proof that we belong to Christ? It is that we bear much fruit (John 15:8) –the good “fruit of righteousness” (Phil. 1:11) that we are to bear unto God (Rom. 7:4) by being “pure and blameless until the day of Christ.” (Phil. 1:10)

Sincerely,
with love,
Rachel

He is the Bread of Life (John 6:35) –”the living bread that came down from heaven.” (v. 51) “If a man eats this bread, he will live forever.” (same verse) Jesus continues, “This bread is My flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.” (same verse) This He did when He died on the cross.

Someone may ask as did the Jews, “How can this man give us His flesh to eat?” (v. 52) Jesus answers that we must eat His flesh and drink His blood, and that unless we do so, we have no life in us, and thus no eternal life. (v. 53-58) Why? Because Jesus is the Life. Therefore we must have Him in us.

How do we get Jesus in us? We feed on His words, He who is “the Word of life.” (1 John 1:1 again) As Jesus says, “The words I have spoken to you are Spirit and they are life.” (John 6:63) This is how we get His Spirit in us. –By getting His words into us. Is this done by sitting back and letting God do all the work as many teachers insist? No. Jesus commands us, “Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you.” (v. 27) There we have it: Jesus gives the food to us, but we must work for it as well. Many teachers will point out that our work is to believe in Jesus as the Messiah. Yes, Jesus says this in verse 29, but the proof of our belief is that we will be in the Word (Ps. 119:97-106), be obedient and holy (Heb. 3:12,18,19 & 12:14), and thus have the Spirit flowing from within us. (John 7:37,38 / Acts 5:32)

Jesus contrasts the manna God gave to the Israelites in the desert with the true bread of God –Himself. (6:32,33,49,50,58) But the comparison is also made: The bread must be eaten, fed upon –daily and in regular, adequate amounts. This is how men live. (Matt. 4:4) We cannot eat a huge amount one day and starve ourselves after that, thinking it will sustain us for the rest of our lives (or even the rest of the week). God taught this Truth way back in Ex. 16:4 when He told Moses, “I will rain down bread from heaven for you. The people are to go out each day and gather enough for that day.” And, “Each one is to gather as much as he needs.” (v. 16) Let’s take note that God instructed them to 1) go out each day, and 2) gather enough for that particular day. Therefore, as everyone’s bodies are not sustained on the exact same amount, neither is everyone’s spirits sustained on the same amount. The amount is not the issue; the issue is time spent feeding on Him (the Word) –daily.

God continues in Ex. 16:4: “In this way I will test them and see whether they will follow My instructions.” This relates to His instructions that we show our fervent love for Him by meditating on the Word day and night (Dt. 6:5-7 / Josh. 1:8) so that we will not sin against Him (Ps. 119:11) and so that we will grow in holiness and the wisdom and knowledge of Him which leads to salvation. (Eph. 1:17 / Col. 3:16 / 2 Tim. 3:15 / James 1:21 / 1 Peter 1:23)

Concerning the manna gathered daily, Moses told the people, “No one is to keep any of it until morning.” (Dt. 16:19) “However, some of them paid no attention to Moses; they kept part of it until morning, but it was full of maggots and began to smell.” (v. 20) Why did they keep some leftovers? Likely because they did not want to trouble themselves every morning with the gathering. But as the leftover manna spoiled and could not be relied upon to sustain a person, God is telling us that He requires us to go to Him every day that we might gather spiritual food that is new and fresh.

This is how we remain in Christ and He in us (John 15:4,5) so that we produce fruit, in ourselves and in the world, that will last. (v. 4,5,16 / Gal. 5:22,23) For as Jesus says, “Whoever eats My flesh and drinks My blood remains in Me, and I in him.” (John 6:56) Therefore, “the one who feeds on Me will live because of Me.” (v. 57) “Feeds” is a present-tense word, so it means “daily”, even “continually”.

This is believing in Christ. This is working, not for the food that spoils, but for the food that endures to eternal life. (John 6:27 again) This spiritual food is the Word –Jesus Himself.

Sincerely,
with love,
Rachel

When Paul and Barnabas went about preaching the Good News, they taught, “We must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God.” (Acts 14:22) While teaching this, they were also “strengthening the disciples and encouraging them to remain true to the faith.” (same verse) At this point we should ask the OSAS (once saved, always saved) teachers why the disciples would need such exhortation if there was no danger of not remaining true to the faith. And we should also ask the prosperity teachers how the hardships in entering God’s kingdom match their doctrines.

God’s Word does teach us that trials, hardships, and sufferings are to be expected in the life of a true follower of Christ (1 Peter 2:21), and that we should even rejoice in having been granted a participation in Christ’s sufferings. (4:13) “For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.” (2 Cor. 4:17) It is the troubles themselves which are achieving for us eternal glory. What would be our outcome without the suffering? Very likely we would not achieve Heaven. For as James 1:12 says, “Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love Him.”

So, if there is no test (no suffering), then where is the opportunity to persevere under trial and pass the test? There’s none. Which means there would be no crown of life awarded either. This is what most teachers within “Christianity” are certainly not teaching. Which means they are not teaching the Truth, the real Gospel. Instead they are trying to make quick and easy converts as they try to teach that the narrow, hard road and the wide, easy road (Matt. 7:13,14) can both lead to Heaven. Sadly, by teaching such things, many “receive the word with joy when they hear it, but they have no root. They believe for a while, but in the time of testing they fall away.” (Luke 8:13)

Therefore, let us “not make light of the Lord’s discipline” (Heb. 12:5), for the Lord disciplines everyone he accepts as a son. (v. 6) But as verse 8 informs us, “If you are not disciplined…, then you are illegitimate children and not true sons.”

“Let us, then, go to Him outside the camp, bearing the disgrace He bore. For here we do not have an enduring city, but we are looking for the city that is to come.” (13:13,14) This is the joy set before us (12:2), and why we endure our cross and refuse to grow weary or lose heart. (v. 3)

Sincerely,
with love,
Rachel

These memorials always get me thinking… not only of eternal things, but about daily life… and if and how we can better try to live up to being saints of noble character –in the Lord’s eyes, but also in other people’s eyes, not for our glory, but for their sakes. For others are watching us, being inspired and strengthened and uplifted by us… or not being…

One thing someone said was that this woman let the love of God flow through her to others. God’s love… pouring into His servant… flowing out to everyone else. Isn’t this what existence is about? Or should be about? Everyone shedding abroad the love of God? Giving others hope and strength to persevere in the assignments God has given to each of us?

It’s important. Yes, it’s important to encourage, to exhort, to love, and to remain faithful ourselves. Faithful to Christ, to our families, to our God-given tasks, and to Christ-likeness. For others are indeed watching, and their lives and eternities, to one degree or another, for good or for evil, are being affected.

Furthermore, in addition to these others, “God [who] will bring every deed into judgment” (Ec. 12:14) and will make us “give account on the day of judgment for every careless word we have spoken” (see Matt. 12:36) as well as the thoughts, attitudes, and intentions of our hearts (Heb. 4:12,13), has been carefully observing us as well.

Sincerely,
with love,
Rachel

But is it? It’s not. Jesus came to set the captives free. (Isa. 49:9 & 61:1) He came to release us from sin’s mastery, save us from sin, and take away our sins. (Matt. 1:21 / 1 John 3:5) He came to rescue us from the dominion of darkness and our slavery to sin. (Col. 1:13 / Rom. 6:16-18,22 & 7:14,23-25) This is the Great News! It is the News we are to believe! (Mark 1:15) And to prove we believe it by repenting (same verse) and producing fruit in keeping with repentance. (Luke 3:7-9 / Acts 26:20)

But, many ask, “How?!” Here’s how: We not only make up our minds to have a zero-tolerance attitude toward allowing sin to defeat us, but we train ourselves in how to overcome. (1 Tim. 4:7 / 2 Tim. 2:4) And what is the main source of our training? The Word of God. (2 Tim. 3:15-17) Why, then, should we wonder why Satan and those who work for him (supernatural and human) should not try hard to keep us from it? And why should we not be wise to this scheme and take time to study it –under the tutelage of the Spirit (1 John 2:26,27)– even when all seem to work against us in being able to do so?

But, is studying God’s Word enough? No. We must put what we learn to practice. (Matt. 7:24) Yes, this can be hard and frightening, but the Lord promises to be with us and give us His power. (2 Peter 1:3,4 / Gal. 5:16 / Heb. 13:5,6) Through Him we can press forward (Phil. 4:13) which we must do in order to get better and better and become the victorious warriors who win every time. This stretching and training is what most people would especially rather not do. The studying is hard enough, though there’s some prestige, thus motivation, in being “knowledgable”. But what is the glamour when we are in a back room, a back street, a back country, or some other lonely field, submitting to God’s orders? For much of what God commands of us does not bring one bit of worldly recognition or honor. Ah, there is where we break down in our faithfulness if we are not truly willing, submitted, and committed.

So, in short, how is it that we resist temptation and win over it every time?

1. We determine that being defeated is out of the question.

2. We study God’s Word diligently.

3. We put God’s Word to practice –without excuse.

When we do these things, always looking to Jesus, the Word, and listening to His voice from it (the Spirit), then we will find our appetite different, we will find our strength to be as steel, and we will hardly even be fazed by the temptations that are thrown our way. In other words, we will have become victors.

Sincerely,
with love,
Rachel

Unless, of course, the person repents… if he asks God for forgiveness and asks to be cleansed… if he turns completely away from all places and people and things that entice him to sin… if he takes the necessary steps to grow by reading the Word daily and putting what he reads to practice… For the Word washes us (Eph. 5:26) and keeps us clean (John 15:3), and it is by obeying the Truth, that we purify ourselves. (1 Peter 1:22)

But what if someone sins? Has he not become unclean? He has. And if he does not go to Christ for a “foot-washing” (see John 13:5), then the sin will grow larger within the heart until the heart becomes calloused and hardened.

When Peter asked the Lord about this foot-washing, Jesus said, “You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand.” (v. 7) So why was Christ wanting to wash His disciples feet when He says in verse 10b that they (except Judas) was already clean? Was this experience only to teach the lesson of servanthood? No, it was also a symbolism of how we must submit to Christ’s cleansing on a continual basis in order to remain clean. This is why Jesus says, “A person who has had a bath needs only to wash his feet; his whole body is clean.” (v. 10a)

So if one’s whole body is clean, why the need for a foot-cleaning? Is it really necessary? Well, what does Jesus say to Peter in verse 8a when Peter initially refuses the procedure? “Jesus answered, ‘Unless I wash you, you have no part with Me.’” (v. 8b)

No part. With Christ. Unless –what? Answer: Unless Jesus washes the feet of the one whom He’s already made clean!

Here is the lesson: We may have believed the Gospel, repented, and been trying to follow Christ and His teachings (as had been Peter), but if we do not let Christ continually cleanse us of all dirt that might attach itself to our feet by walking the road of life… meaning, all defilements that might attach themselves to our hearts or minds as we walk the road of life… then that dirt / that defilement will accumulate. And to have it accumulate means we’ve refused to submit to Christ’s (the Word’s) continual cleaning of us –which He undertakes in order to achieve His goal of making us “blameless and holy… when [He]… comes with all His holy ones.” (1 Thes. 3:13)

In other words, if we refuse to be kept continually clean, Jesus will say to us as He did to Peter who was already “clean” (v. 10), “Unless I wash you, you have no part with Me.” (v. 8b)

And what happens to the person who does not remain a part of the Vine… in Christ and He in them? (John 15:4,5) Such a man, Jesus says, “is like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned.” (v. 6) Therefore, “Remain in Me, and I will remain in you.” (v. 4) And how do we do this? –By obeying His commands. (v. 10 & 14:20-23) –Including the one of submitting to His (the Word’s) continual washing of us.

Sincerely,
with love,
Rachel

But what happens when we “go and bear fruit –fruit that will last”? (John 15:16) Jesus tells us that this will happen: We will be pruned, purged, trimmed. (15:2b) Does it hurt to go through such an ordeal? Definitely! Sometimes it’s excruciating. Sometimes we think we won’t endure. Sometimes we want to lay down and just wake up in Heaven where there will never be another sorrow, rejection, betrayal, confusion, trial, disaster, death, agony, or pain.

But what does God’s Word tell us to do even so? It tells us to trust. To trust God. Because He is in control. No matter what things look like. And that for His children who trust Him, He will work all things out for good. (Rom. 8:28)

So we continue to say, “Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him.” (Job 13:15) No matter how we feel. No matter if we can barely whisper the words. No matter if we don’t believe them at the moment. For we’ve learned to fall back on faith, not feelings.

And what does our loving Comforter do? Like warm rays of sunshine, His healing strength spreads through us, and we are revived. The troubles recede and one day we come to experience Job 11:16-18: “You will surely forget your trouble, recalling it only as waters gone by. Life will be brighter than noonday, and… you will… take your rest in safety.”

And when Jesus comes in His glory? Ah, then, we who are found faithful till the end, will receive honor (2 Tim. 2:12) by being “counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you [we] are suffering.” (2 Thes. 1:5) “In this you [we] greatly rejoice” (1 Peter 1:6,7), having determined to stand firm in the faith (5:9) because we know that “after we have suffered a little while, God will Himself restore us and make us even more strong, firm, and steadfast.” (See v. 10)

Then we will hear our Master say in the end, “Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!” (Matt. 25:21)

And if those “few things” were only that we faithfully endure the suffering He saw fit to give us on earth, we’ll be glad, for it was through them that He kept trimming us “clean so that we would be even more fruitful” (see John 15:2b) and thus have all the more to present before the Eternal King.

Sincerely,
with love,
Rachel

If God gives a warning, and the person (or group) repent (turn from sin to faith, trust, obedience, petition, praise, and gratefulness to God), then God will very likely retract His declaration of judgement. If God gives a promise, and the person (or group) rebel (turn from righteousness and begin to distrust, doubt, fear, or neglect God and His commands), God will very likely not bring about the fulfillment of His promise.

This Truth that God reverses His declarations due to our behavior is something many “Christians” do not believe. It may be because they adhere to Calvinism’s false doctrine that says God has preordained all events, decisions, etc., or maybe it’s because they are taught that God does not lie. True, God certainly does not lie, but most of His judgements and promises are indeed conditional. And what is the condition? It is the behavior (and attitudes) of the recipients.

Unfortunately though, many “Christians” do not believe their behavior can change history and eternal destinies. Oh, they may say they believe this, but their apathy in striving for spiritual growth, maturity, power, and holiness… their apathy in evangelizing and extending love, help, and kindness to others in ways needed… and their apathy in taking measures to get to know the Lord and His Word intimately… betray them.

However, our behavior, though it can sometimes result in little consequence, for the most part has a much more enormous affect than we probably could ever realize. Remember the Jimmy Stewart movie “It’s A Wonderful Life”? Even if we don’t affect as much as George did, do we realize what even one uplifting (or cruel) statement might do to someone? It could be the turning point of their career choice, which in turn could be the cure of someone else’s disease, which could then result in a baby otherwise not born, who could then become a general, who could then lead an army to battle, which could then lead to the take-over of a country… and on it goes, not to mention all the multitudes of other people and events affected who and which create their affects as well.

The point is, is that our behavior does have consequences. And that God, though He has perfect foreknowledge of what is going to happen, has ordained that His plans work through our freedom of choice. And that because of this, we need to make correct and godly choices, choices which will result in good on earth and for eternity, and choices which will bring forgiveness and blessing from God, not His wrath and judgment.

Let’s look at 2 Chron. 12:1,2. We read that Rehoboam (the king) and the people “abandoned the law of the LORD. Because they had been unfaithful to the LORD, Shishak king of Egypt attacked Jerusalem…” In verse 5 we read, “This is what the LORD says, ‘You have abandoned Me; therefore, I now abandon you to Shishak.’” The king and the leaders then “humbled themselves and said, ‘The LORD is just.’” (v. 6) In seeing them do this, what did the Lord do in return? “When the LORD saw that they humbled themselves, this word of the LORD came to Shemaiah: ‘Since they have humbled themselves, I will not destroy them but will soon give them deliverance. My wrath will not be poured out on Jerusalem through Shishak.’” (v. 7)

Did God remove all of His judgement though? No, in verse 8 God declared that the people would be subject to Shishak. This, however, was a much lighter judgement, for as verse 12 informs us, “Because Rehoboam humbled himself, the LORD’s anger turned from him, and he was not totally destroyed.” Behavior –repentant behavior which came from belief in God’s warning– is what changed God’s decision concerning the judgement. And depending upon how we act, we too will incur reversals of God’s judgements… or promises.

Concerning promises revoked, one of the most well-known is when God promised the Israelites a land of their own when He brought them out of Egypt. But did they who received the promise, actually receive the fulfillment of the promise? No, for they rebelled in the time of testing (Heb. 3:8) and were not allowed to enter the fulfillment of the promise (called “God’s rest”) “because of their disobedience.” (4:6) The same holds true for us. (3:12-15 & 4:1,11) –Including God’s promise to us of Eternal Rest (4:7-9) –given to any who kneel before God now (Ps. 95:6,7) and do not rebel by letting their hearts go astray. (v. 8-11)

For more Scriptural examples of reversals of God’s initial declarations read here:

http://knowgodsword.wordpress.com/2011/01/15/god-changes-his-initial-decision/

Sincerely,
with love,
Rachel

If those who claim to belong to Christ are eager to please themselves, rather than Him, and if they are not walking in purity and growing into Christ-likeness, then it is obvious that they have not been redeemed “from all wickedness” and their claim of knowing the Lord is a lie. (1 John 2:4) They do not belong to Christ and in them the Truth does not dwell. (same verse / Rom. 8:9) For as 1 John 2:6 says, “Whoever claims to live in Him [He who is the Truth --John 14:6] must walk as Jesus did.”

How did Jesus walk (live)? He lived sinless. (1 Peter 2:22 / 1 John 3:5) We are commanded to do the same (1 Peter 2:21 / 1 John 2:1), though if we do sin, we have an advocate who pleads with God on our behalf. (1 John 2:1) If we are repentant, God will forgive us and makes us clean again. (1:9 / Ps. 51) However, this pardoning is not so that we may have a license to continue to sin (Jude 1:4 / Heb. 10:26,27 / Gal. 5:13), but so that we have grace extended to us as we learn to put to practice God’s commands.

“But just as He who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do.” (1 Peter 1:15) This is not a suggestion, but an authoritative order; not one to obey occasionally, but at all times and in everything. And to the extent that He is holy, that is the perfection we are to meet as well. (Matt. 5:48) Not that we “have already been made perfect” (Phil. 3:12), but we are to press toward this goal (same verse), straining for it (v. 13) in all we do (1 Peter 1:15 again), in all we say (James 1:26), and in all we think. (2 Cor. 10:5) –Always.

Jesus says in John 14:31, “I do exactly what My Father has commanded Me.” If Jesus, though He was fully God, submitted to the Father like this, then we who are “slaves to God” (Rom. 6:22) are certainly expected to do so as well. In regards to His speech, Jesus says in John 12:49, “For I did not speak of My own accord, but the Father who sent Me commanded Me what to say and how to say it.” If we are to imitate Christ (1 John 2:6), then our words, including the timing, tone, etc., is also to be only as commanded by God. (John 12:50 / Matt. 10:19,20 & 12:36,37 / 1 Peter 4:11)

Now what about being holy in all we think? True, Satan’s darts come first to our minds, trying to lure us to “think about how to gratify the desires of the sinful nature.” (Rom. 13:14) But what does this verse, along with verse 12 tell us to do? We are told to put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light by clothing ourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ. This we do by being in His words, the Word of God, and while aggressively putting His Word to practice and praising Him as we go, we are filled with His presence and Spirit and power. (See John 15:1-7 / Rom. 12:1,2 / Gal. 5:25 / Eph. 6:10-18) Then we do have the strength to say “No” to sin, for the Light who we wear actually dispels any evil desires trying to remain or return.

So by submitting to the training afforded us by the grace of God, we can, and we will, walk in continual holiness, thereby proving ourselves to be Christ’s own.

Sincerely,
with love,
Rachel