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Romans 6:3-7 Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? (4) Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. (5) For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection: (6) Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. (7) For he that is dead is freed from sin. (KJV)
Thayer’s definition for ‘likeness’: 3667 homoioma- what has been made after the likeness of something a) a figure, a image, a likeness, a representation b) likeness that is, resemblance, such as amounts almost to equality or identity When we see the word ‘likeness’ we are now looking at something that is a representation, a resemblance, something that took place in the physical but now has spiritual meaning. Basically when looking at baptism and its true meaning we see it more as a continual process, not just some ritual where one gets dunked then goes merrily on their way. If you were to hold someone under water for an extended period of time it would eventually lead to death, drowning the physical which in turn would release the spirit from the body. In essence this is what Paul is making reference to, similar to the Old Testament sacrifices that were killed, which then released the spirit. When a believer immerses themselves in the living waters and remains in that realm the flesh, or as Paul described our old man, dies so that the Spirit can be released and take over. Another way the seed is planted, which our seed is Christ, is in the likeness of his death which was by crucifixion. In order for our Lord to resurrect and be seated at the right hand of the Father He had to go to the cross, which not only happened in the outward but also took place in the inward. In order for us to obtain our eternal inheritance we to have to die to self in the same fashion as our Lord did; however ours takes place in the spiritual realm. Luke 9:22-25 Saying, The Son of man must suffer many things, and be rejected of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be slain, and be raised the third day. (23) And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me. (24) For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it. (25) For what is a man advantaged, if he gain the whole world, and lose himself, or be cast away? (KJV) As our Lord was preparing to fulfill His calling and pay the price for mankind, he was also describing the same baptism Paul was describing in Romans 6, how each and every believer in Christ would have to take up their own cross on a daily basis in order to inherit their reward. As painful and excruciating as it was to drive nails into the body, it also subdued the body and kept it in subjection. Things in your life that you thought were gain, which were worldly, are now nailed to a spiritual cross and brought into subjection to the Spirit so that you won’t be lost, or cast away from your inheritance. Now the question becomes ‘how many are willing to follow our Lord, even as far as the cross’? We hear so many speak of baptism, but so few speak of the true spiritual baptism that brings new life to the believer by leaving their old life buried. Just as similar as it was in the time of our Lord, when it comes time to die many run for cover and scramble, even denying the Lord by rejecting the truth of what He is asking of His people; to take up their own cross. Every believer in Christ comes to their own crossroad, a time when the Lord says we need to nail down an area of the flesh that is hindering our walk so that the Spirit can take over. Sad to say this is where many draw the line and look for another way out, which the enemy is glad to show them an alternate route which ends up to be a dead end. When you are facing your own trial like our Lord did in the garden of Gethsemane, in the end will you let the Lord’s will be done, or will you walk away? Philippians 3:17-19 Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample. (18) (For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ: (19) Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.) (KJV) The cross of Christ is spiritual in nature, a doctrine that speaks of crucifying the flesh and its desires rather than pampering it and justifying the lower fallen nature. As I look around today and listen to man’s doctrines, they mostly speak of the world and seek their gain in this realm rather than looking deeper into the spiritual realm to seek and please our Heavenly Father. The phrase “if it feels good do it” no longer works for those in Christ, but rather they have come to the knowledge that the flesh and Spirit are contrary one to the other. A house divided will fall, so being the fact that you are the temple of the living God it would be in your best interest to keep your temple in subjection to the Spirit. John 6:24-27 When the people therefore saw that Jesus was not there, neither his disciples, they also took shipping, and came to Capernaum, seeking for Jesus. (25) And when they had found him on the other side of the sea, they said unto him, Rabbi, when camest thou hither? (26) Jesus answered them and said, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Ye seek me, not because ye saw the miracles, but because ye did eat of the loaves, and were filled. (27) Labour not for the meat which perisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give unto you: for him hath God the Father sealed. (KJV) What is your motive for serving the Lord, and why are you seeking Him? Is it truly to do His will, or are you looking to get a belly full? Like with many politicians today, many so called preachers promise liberty and a better life in the physical, however, they ignore the spiritual and the true meaning of the scriptures, and leave the people starving for lack of nourishment. As meat is a good source of protein for the physical body, spiritual meat is a definite requirement for the Spirit man if one is going to truly grow and mature in the Lord. Are you seeing the eternal meaning and intention of the scriptures and what they truly represent, or are you like so many carnal babies that think dunking people in water has any real substance? Remember, the things that are seen are temporal, it’s the unseen spiritual which is eternal and will endure to the end, will you? God bless and have a prosperous day in Christ Jesus our Lord. Hebrews 2:9 But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man. (KJV)
We discussed yesterday this man named Jesus; a man spoke of and written about throughout the New Testament, a man some claim to be God, or as I have heard it referred to, the God man. Actually we see that Jesus was ‘made’ or rather a created being; something God surly is not and never will be, let alone taking a rank lower than the angels. So who is this Jesus of Nazareth? Knowing who he was will help you to understand who you are, and how to answer your own calling from God. Hebrews 10:4-5 For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins. (5) Wherefore when he cometh into the world, he saith, Sacrifice and offering thou wouldest not, but a body hast thou prepared me: (KJV) The fact that the fall of man came through man, it is only fitting that the price that had to be paid to reconcile mankind was the sacrifice of a man, and that came by the obedience and death on the cross of Jesus of Nazareth. This man was anointed with the Holy Ghost and with power so that he could be led by the Spirit and live a life pleasing to God. John 8:28-29 Then said Jesus unto them, When ye have lifted up the Son of man, then shall ye know that I am he, and that I do nothing of myself; but as my Father hath taught me, I speak these things. (29) And he that sent me is with me: the Father hath not left me alone; for I do always those things that please him. (KJV) We see here quite plainly, Jesus referring to himself as the Son of man; a man just like you and I, being taught of our Father how to speak and how to be an example of the believer in doing those things that please the Father. Had he been God, then he would not have had to be taught because he would have already known everything. Just like when we were a child growing up in the realm of the flesh; as newborns we had to grow, mature, and learn the language in order to communicate. The same holds true in the spiritual realm also; as one grows and matures they learn to speak the words of our Father, and to communicate His message more and more as they continue to grow. Jesus of Nazareth was the first born, or should I say the first man to be born again into the realm of the Spirit, so that he could communicate God’s message of salvation to a lost world, and lay down his life to pay the price for the sin of mankind that had been plaguing them. Luke 9:22-24 Saying, The Son of man must suffer many things, and be rejected of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be slain, and be raised the third day. (23) And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me. (24) For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it. (KJV) The Son of man; he too was a partaker of flesh and blood, and took on this same nature that we have to deal with. As a man he had to take up the cross and die to self in order that we could live. We too have to take up our own cross on a daily basis and die to those things which are of the flesh so that the Spirit can take control of our body. We too need to crucify our own affections and lusts so that we can present ourselves to God a living sacrifice, and be resurrected on a daily basis in the realm of the Spirit. Though many still claim Jesus was God, the same God that was with him and working within him, is at work in you also; teaching you on a daily basis how to overcome your lower fallen nature so that you can be a partaker of His divine nature. John 3:1-7 There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews: (2) The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him. (3) Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. (4) Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born? (5) Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. (6) That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. (7) Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again. (KJV) If you notice in verse 2, the people would approach Jesus at night because of the persecution, and the fact that they didn’t want to be kicked out of the temple for associating with this man. For those that truly follow the same example set by our Lord, they too will find that the path of life truly is narrow and straight, and few that find it. Our Lord was able to demonstrate the power of God; and the miracles God did through Him were a result of God’s word and its effectiveness by and through His obedience to speak and believe it. The fact that God is no respecter of persons, Jesus of Nazareth also had to partake of the two births; and God through His word spells out the difference, one is of the flesh, and the other is of the Spirit. The Son of man, Jesus of Nazareth, was the first born into this realm of the Spirit. He lived and demonstrated a perfect example for all of us to follow of how a man could live by faith, and overcome the fallen nature of the flesh and its desires. Today God still uses His people to deliver a message of love through those who are willing to follow the same example of our Lord; those who are willing to speak His word no matter what the consequences are, or whatever popular opinion would try to dictate. Hebrews 10:9-12 Then said he, Lo, I come to do thy will, O God. He taketh away the first, that he may establish the second. (10) By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. (11) And every priest standeth daily ministering and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins: (12) But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God; (KJV) We have looked at Jesus the man, the Son of man, and the ministry he fulfilled, as well as the sacrifice that he gave to reconcile man with God. Though God was with this man, as He is with all those that believe, Jesus was not God, nor did he claim to be anymore than you or I would; rather he was the first born again man into the realm of the Spirit to teach us how we too can operate effectively, and not be bound by the limitations of the flesh. So having spent the last couple of days looking at that which was born of flesh let us look to that which is born of the Spirit; or as He was also referred to as the Son of God, Christ Jesus. God bless and have a prosperous day in Christ Jesus our Lord. 1 Corinthians 2:7-8 But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory: 8 Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. (KJV)
It’s bad enough that mankind crucified the Lord when all He did was come to this planet and show us a better way of life. However, it’s just as bad if not worse when mankind keeps crucifying Him all over again with their fallen interpretations of His word. Hebrews 6:4-6 For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, 5 And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come, 6 If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame. (KJV) The reason the word impossible is used in verse 4 is because what once started out as a walk of faith, has now turned into a walk of fake. When you allow your own desires and lusts to take over rather than overcoming them, you re-enter the realm of impossible because you are no longer in a place where the Lord is operating, a place where you are letting Him reveal Himself to you personally along with His plan of salvation; and by your disobedience you are crucifying Him and His doctrine all over again. Hebrews 10:26-29 For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, 27 But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries. 28 He that despised Moses' law died without mercy under two or three witnesses: 29 Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden underfoot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace? (KJV) Once you have received knowledge of the truth it is required that you continue in it to the end, otherwise you will be considered a transgressor. As gruesome as the crucifixion was to Jesus of Nazareth, many are continually crucifying the Son of God as well because of all the fallen doctrines that man tries to pawn off as truth. 2 Peter 2:20-22 For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning. 21 For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them. 22 But it is happened unto them according to the true proverb, The dog is turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire. (KJV) It’s safe to say that puking dogs and dirty pigs are not something that you will find in the heavenly realm, but only here on earth; and as disgusting as these things are to the carnal man, it somewhat describes how disgusting mans’doctrines are to the spirit man as well. God bless dearly loved, and have a very prosperous day in Christ Jesus our Lord. |
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