Good day. Today's video Balancing Acts is on the topic: Balance and equality. What is the just weight and balance of how the Lord would have his people operate? You can view all previous videos by going to our YouTube channel Doctrine of Christ Ministry or by clicking on our archive page link above - Doctrine of Christ Ministry Archive. Have a blessed and prosperous day in Christ Jesus our Lord. Good morning. Today's video Reconcile is on the topic of being reconciled to God by Jesus Christ that we might be counted worthy to partake of the marriage feast of the Lamb of God. 2 Corinthians 5:18 And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; (KJV) We are a living example, a ministry, of the reconciliation that happened in our own lives; that now in Christ we have peace and fellowship restored with God through his Son. Now the light of the glorious gospel of Christ shining in our hearts, giving forth the knowledge of God in the face of Jesus Christ, being ready to give an answer to every man who asks a reason of the hope that is within us. Salvation is a plan of eternal reconciliation. We have been cleansed with the washing of the Word being reconciled in preparation for the marriage feast of the Lamb and given a garment of righteousness. Now it is up to each of us to keep our garment unspotted from the world; that includes from our own righteousness, again, which is as a filthy rag. Now Christ is our righteousness and without him we cannot stand clean before God the Father nor partake of the marriage feast of the Lamb. 1 Corinthians 1:30 But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption: (KJV) Galatians 3:26-27 For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. (KJV) If we don’t come before the throne clothed in the righteousness of God, which is Christ, then we will not be considered one of his; and will be cast out into utter darkness where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Which means that we will not be partaking of the marriage feast of the Lamb (read Revelation 19:7-9). 2 Timothy 2:19 Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity. (KJV) Read: Ephesians 5:23-32 (Illustrating Christ and the Church) Matthew 22:1-14 (The parable of the marriage feast) So dearly loved, where do you desire to be in the end? Will it be in clean white linen, the wedding garment, partaking of the marriage feast of the Lamb of God, or will it be in filthy rags because you allowed your clean garment that you were given at the reconciliation to become spotted by the world? 1 John 2:15-17 Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever. (KJV) You can view all previous videos by going to our YouTube channel Doctrine of Christ Ministry. Have a blessed and prosperous day in Christ Jesus our Lord. Good morning. Today's video Great Cloud is on the topic of the fact that we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works. (KJV) All scripture is given by God and is profitable unto us in every aspect of our walk through this wilderness (the world) on our way to the promised land (eternal life). We have been given a great cloud of witnesses; all those who went before us; the greatest of these being our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, the author and finisher of faith. Hebrews 12:1-2 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. (KJV) The scriptures testify of Christ from the beginning: the mystery hidden from the beginning of the world by the cloud that led Israel through the wilderness by day (given living water by the rock that followed them, which rock was Christ) and a pillar of fire by night, which lightened their way; but now it has been revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit, the cloud raining down on us the living waters through many witnesses that we might know the only true God and Jesus Christ whom he sent to be the way, the truth and the life that we are to follow after having the eyes of our understanding enlightened by the light of the glorious gospel of Christ shining in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ by us, so that those also who follow after may come to the knowledge of the truth, and remain baptized into Christ by the cloud and by fire through the wilderness of this world so that they too may inherit the promised land, eternal life in Christ our Lord. God has and continues to lead and guide his people with a great cloud and with fire. God bless. You can view all previous videos by going to our YouTube channel Doctrine of Christ Ministry. Have a blessed and prosperous day in Christ Jesus our Lord. Good morning. Today's video The Son - Part25 is on the topic of who the Son of God is; he that is not with Christ is against Him. Luke 11:21-26 When a strong man armed keepeth his palace, his goods are in peace: But when a stronger than he shall come upon him, and overcome him, he taketh from him all his armour wherein he trusted, and divideth his spoils. He that is not with me is against me: and he that gathereth not with me scattereth. When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry places, seeking rest; and finding none, he saith, I will return unto my house whence I came out. And when he cometh, he findeth it swept and garnished. Then goeth he, and taketh to him seven other spirits more wicked than himself; and they enter in, and dwell there: and the last state of that man is worse than the first. (KJV) The warnings Church are clear. Our strength is in Christ. If we continue to abide in him, he will continue to abide in us; and in Him we have his fullness to help us to discern between good and evil, to rightly divide the word of truth, and the strength to come out from among anything or anyone that is not healthy for us in spirit, soul, or body. A little leaven allowed in will leaven the whole lump. If we don’t keep vigilant in our relationship with the Lord, remaining and gathering with Him (holding too and being the workman who needs not to be ashamed in the gospel of Christ), then we will be counted as against him and our goods will be scattered. And we could end up like the strong man who did not keep his palace (not remaining diligent in the Spirit holding to the gospel of Christ); or be overtaken by the unclean spirit again with seven other of his buddies more wicked than himself, and the last state of ourselves would be worse than the first. 2 John 1:7-11 For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist. Look to yourselves, that we lose not those things which we have wrought, but that we receive a full reward. Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son. If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed: For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds. (KJV) There are many false prophets with their false doctrines that have infiltrated the Church today; just as in the Old Testament times when Israel intermingled with other nations (the Gentiles) and took on their customs, worshiping and serving their gods, and look at what the consequences were. They left their first love. Mark 12:30 And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment. (KJV) It is no different for the Church today; if you are not abiding in and holding fast to the grace and gospel of Christ, but have turned unto another gospel other than that which Jesus Christ preached unto you, then there are consequences for what you allow into your house. It will eat away at your foundation and eventually your house will fall. For strait is the gate, and narrow is the way which leads unto life and few be there that find it; but wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leads to destruction, and many there be which go in that way. Abiding in Christ is a strait and narrow path; God does not lie, neither does he compromise. The Lord did not preach for filthy lucre (money) sake and neither did he ever ask his ministers too. So why are many Christians supporting those ministers and their ministry who do? And why when these so called men of God compromise to fit into the world and its ways do many Christians continue to support them? And why as a Christian would you compromise to fit into the world and its ways and what they say is good and right, rather than fitting into the kingdom and righteousness of God and what He says is good and right? We are in a time where many will not endure sound doctrine but are heaping to themselves teachers having itching ears. Remember, you too were once on that wide path that leads to destruction, but when you accepted Jesus Christ you were separated unto God, and were removed from the path of destruction by the grace of God and placed on his path of life. Now the devil wants nothing more than to have those who remain on the wide path leading to destruction beguile you off the path of life to join them again in their excess. This is why we are to watch and pray always; lining up what we hear or see with the word of God; letting God be true and every man a liar, which includes those in the pulpits and our old man (thinking); and try the spirits whether they be of God or not. Because if any man has not the Spirit of Christ, they are not with God and His Son Christ Jesus, but against him. So Church, come out from among them and be separate and touch not the unclean thing; which are the doctrines of men, those of the world; and those who corrupt the word of God not holding the head, which is Christ, in sincerity and truth, but seek to glory in your flesh and bring you into bondage again to the commandments and traditions of men, not knowing Christ and his doctrine. Lest you become counted unclean before God; for evil communications do corrupt good morals. God bless. You can view all previous videos by going to our YouTube channel Doctrine of Christ Ministry. Have a blessed and prosperous day in Christ Jesus our Lord. Good morning. Today's video The Son - Part23 is on the topic of who the Son of God is; the image of God. God sending his own Son (Christ, the son given) in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh (Rom 8:3). Jesus of Nazareth (the child born), a living soul, was the vessel whom God chose to send his Son (a life giving Spirit) into, to give us hope and an example on how to overcome our natural man, and allow Christ, the life giving Spirit, to lead and guide us into that victory, being made perfect (restored in their image and likeness) through weakness (the spirit is willing, it is the flesh that is weak), and able to sit with Jesus Christ at the right hand of God for eternity. Psalms 17:15 As for me, I will behold thy face in righteousness: I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with thy likeness. (KJV) Christ Jesus, who is of God, made unto us wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, and redemption that we too are able to be made like unto Jesus who bore the image of the heavenly, Christ, the Son of the living God and of these two one new man is made. 2 Corinthians 4:4-6 In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them. For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus' sake. For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. (KJV) Bearing the image of the heavenly man, made like unto Christ; presenting our bodies a living sacrifice unto God; not conforming to this world, but being transformed into the image of him who created us by the renewing of our minds so that we are able to come to the knowledge of the truth which is in us, as it was in Jesus. Romans 12:1-2 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. (KJV) We were given this treasure (Christ) in earthen vessels; now we walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit, so that we are able to prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect will of God. God’s will is for us to continue to bear the image of the heavenly; to remain in the new man which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him; and to know his Son, Christ in you the hope of glory, whom had the princes of the world known, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory; and last to know Him and be known of Him. 2 Corinthians 3:12-18 Seeing then that we have such hope, we use great plainness of speech: And not as Moses, which put a vail over his face, that the children of Israel could not stedfastly look to the end of that which is abolished: But their minds were blinded: for until this day remaineth the same vail untaken away in the reading of the old testament; which vail is done away in Christ. But even unto this day, when Moses is read, the vail is upon their heart. Nevertheless when it shall turn to the Lord, the vail shall be taken away. Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord. (KJV) So let the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, shine forth from your heart to give forth the light of the knowledge of the glory of God, in the face of Jesus Christ; which face you are if you continue in the Son, and the Son in you. God bless. You can view all previous videos by going to our YouTube channel Doctrine of Christ Ministry. Have a blessed and prosperous day in Christ Jesus our Lord. Good morning. Today's video The Son - Part20 is on the topic of who the Son of God is; the Son never claimed to be God. Numbers 23:19 God is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent: hath he said, and shall he not do it? or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good? (KJV) Titus 1:2 In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began; (KJV) God cannot lie; and neither can he be tempted with evil (James 1:12-15). So how could Jesus have been God? Matthew 4:1-11 Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil. And when he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was afterward an hungred. And when the tempter came to him, he said, If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread. But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God. Then the devil taketh him up into the holy city, and setteth him on a pinnacle of the temple, And saith unto him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down: for it is written, He shall give his angels charge concerning thee: and in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone. Jesus said unto him, It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God. Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them; And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me. Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve. Then the devil leaveth him, and, behold, angels came and ministered unto him. (KJV) Hebrews 2:16-18 For verily he took not on him the nature of angels; but he took on him the seed of Abraham. Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people. For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted. (KJV) Hebrews 4:14-16 Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need. (KJV) Jesus was tempted in every manner as we are and yet he sinned not. He had a choice, just like we do, to follow the leading and guiding of the Spirit, Christ in him; and thank God he chose to follow Christ and not the lusts of the flesh. For in this he became both Lord and Christ; our high priest, our intercessor, our way, our truth, our life, our example, our Rock solid foundation, and most importantly, our Lord and Saviour. Jesus was the son of man; and the Son of God. The son of man referring to the likeness of sinful flesh; the Son of God referring to the image of God, who is Christ. Unto us a child was born (Jesus); unto us a son was given (Christ). So of these two one new man was made, Christ Jesus, our mediator. 1 Timothy 2:5 For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; (KJV) The Son of God, Christ, was given in the conception of Jesus of Nazareth, the son of man, born of the seed of David according to the flesh (born of a woman); and declared the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead; and he is now seated at the right hand of God the Father. In this was Jesus anointed with the Holy Spirit and with power, Christ in him the hope of glory. This enabled Jesus to overcome the lusts of the flesh, and of which Christ condemned sin in the flesh. Jesus said “Why call me good? There is none good but one, that is God” (Mark 10:17-18). Jesus also said to search the scriptures for in them you think you have eternal life, but they are they which testify of me. Who? Christ in him the hope of glory. Many know him after the son of man, the fleshly man, the son of Mary and Joseph a carpenter; but few know him after the Spirit, the Son of the living God, Christ. 2 Corinthians 5:16 Wherefore henceforth know we no man after the flesh: yea, though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now henceforth know we him no more. (KJV) You can view all previous videos by going to our YouTube channel Doctrine of Christ Ministry. Have a blessed and prosperous day in Christ Jesus our Lord. Good morning. Today's video The Son - Part12 is on the topic of who the Son of God is; the cross of Christ. Dear Church, loved of God our Father, and our Lord Jesus Christ, are you dying to get to Heaven? Paul the apostle said he died daily. 1 Corinthians 15:31 I protest by your rejoicing which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die daily. (KJV) We were given an example by our Lord Jesus Christ of dying daily as He did to the fleshly lusts and desires so that He could be resurrected a new man upright and well pleasing in God’s sight. The Lord Jesus took up His spiritual cross daily, not just the physical cross that happened once that everyone knows about, but daily He died that we might live, thus why the scriptures refer to the cross of Christ. He humbled himself and laid aside the lusts of the flesh, but not without suffering, and followed the Spirit of Christ within Him. Learned He obedience by the things which He suffered; having been tempted in every manner as we are and yet sinned not (Hebrews 2:18; 4:14-16). Philippians 2:5-8 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. (KJV) Hebrews 5:7-10 Who in the days of his flesh, when he had offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto him that was able to save him from death, and was heard in that he feared; Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered; And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him; (KJV) Have you taken up your spiritual cross, nailing the lusts of the flesh to it through obedience on a daily basis, and suffering for Christ’s sake? Taking up our cross involves dying to self, daily crucifying the old man which was born into sin (of the flesh) so that we are able to resurrect into the new man which was born into the righteousness of God (of the Spirit), Christ in us the hope of glory. Salvation is not a one and done; each day we make the choice to take up our cross and follow the leading of the Holy Spirit in obedience. We have a choice to suffer and follow Christ or to take the path of least resistance and follow the lusts of the flesh and the world thereof. Romans 6:4-14 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. For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection: 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. For he that is dead is freed from sin. Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him: Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him. For in that he died, he died unto sin once: but in that he liveth, he liveth unto God. Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord. 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. For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace. (KJV) Sin is destroyed when we choose to be obedient to the leading and guiding of the Holy Spirit. But remember sin can revive through temptation when we are drawn away of our own lusts, and enticed; then when lust has conceived it brings forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, brings forth death (James 1:14-15), which is separation from God our Father. Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. (KJV) But thanks be to God for His grace who has given us a great high priest, an advocate, on our behalf, Jesus Christ our Lord who is the only way to restore peace with the Father. There is no peace with God our Father without abiding (remaining) in Christ, and Christ abiding in us; the cross of Christ. So dearly loved, take up the cross of Christ and live. You can view all previous videos by going to our YouTube channel Doctrine of Christ Ministry. Have a blessed and prosperous day in Christ Jesus our Lord. Good morning. We are taking a break this week on the Son of God series of videos to address the deity of Jesus. Today's video The Deity of Jesus is on the topic of when how and Jesus became a part of the Godhead bodily. Jesus of Nazareth became a part of the Godhead when God accepted the completed sacrifice of Jesus Christ and seated him at His own right hand. Jesus lived a life without sin being led by the Spirit of Christ within him. He was tempted in every manner as we are and yet he sinned not but was obedient unto death. Daily laying down his life (he took up his own spiritual cross and followed Christ, the Word of the living God who abided within him) despising the shame and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Jesus Christ is the example we are to now live our life by. He said to eat of his flesh (lay down your life and take up your cross) and drink of his blood (follow him; led by the Spirit of Christ within you) for this example will lead you on the path of eternal life giving you strength to overcome the wicked one so that you too may be seated at the right hand of God with Jesus Christ for eternity. Colossians 2:8-12 Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ. For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily. And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power: In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ: Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead. (KJV) God accepted Jesus Christ’s sacrifice, a sweet smelling savor; He overcame the wicked one through faith and obedience to Christ within him and is now seated at the right hand of God forever making intercession for us. He became the firstborn among many brethren, the first begotten from the dead; He became both Lord and Christ. Jesus was a man just like you and I when he walked this earth, but when he was resurrected from the dead, having overcome death, he is now a part of the Godhead bodily. Jesus Christ our mediator who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification. God bless. Romans 8:29 For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. (KJV) Revelation 1:5-6 And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood, And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen. (KJV) Acts 2:36 Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ. (KJV) You can view all previous videos by going to our YouTube channel Doctrine of Christ Ministry. Have a blessed and prosperous day in Christ Jesus our Lord. John 6:63 It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life. (KJV)
Our Lord came so that we could have life and have it more abundantly. What our Lord considers abundance is far from what man thinks is an abundant life, a life only found in the realm of the Spirit. Words which are spiritual and brought life and enlightenment to the believers were spoken by our Lord, and He is still speaking to those that have ears to hear, seeking to hear the spiritual meaning and intention of the scriptures where this new life is found. There is a whole new realm of unending joy and peace, enlightening the heart and bringing life to those that find the true meaning of what our Lord is speaking to them about, and why He spoke the things He did. Have you found this life for yourself? Here’s a hint, you won’t find it in the old law, but rather by hearing the law of faith, one that will build you up and bring life to those that were once dead spiritually. 2 Corinthians 3:6 Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life. (KJV) In order for you to be an able minister of our Lord you have to take the time to let the Lord minister unto you personally. Those that are chosen by our Lord to speak and teach on His behalf are those that are operating in the new life which is in the spiritual realm, and not according to the old laws and rituals. Those that hold to the literal meaning of the word of God miss the mark and kill the true interpretation of the message of Christ. You won’t find life in a graveyard or a morgue, nor will you find it in the letter of the old law and its rituals. In fact our Lord said that He is a God of the living and not the dead. So anyone that continues to hold onto the old law will not find the life God intended for them. When one takes the time to rightly divide the word of truth and hear God’s spiritual meaning of His word then it quickens or gives life to their inward man, while our flesh and its way of thinking darkens the true meaning of the message. Many think they can please a spiritual God with carnal ordinances, and they fall short of what our Lord intended for His people. Your ability to be an effective example of the believers, whether in word or in deed, will only be accomplished as you learn to speak words that will bring spiritual meaning and life to those around you. Out of your belly or the heart should be a river of living waters pouring out and bringing life; while many others are raining bitter waters of the letter of the law which kills any new growth. Romans 7:1-3 Know ye not, brethren, (for I speak to them that know the law,) how that the law hath dominion over a man as long as he liveth? (2) For the woman which hath an husband is bound by the law to her husband so long as he liveth; but if the husband be dead, she is loosed from the law of her husband. (3) So then if, while her husband liveth, she be married to another man, she shall be called an adulteress: but if her husband be dead, she is free from that law; so that she is no adulteress, though she be married to another man. (KJV) Another way of describing the letter of the law and its ordinances is like a woman with a husband, who is bound by an oath and commitment to that husband as long as he is alive. Once that husband has died, then she is released from that law and allowed to remarry. The death of the husband released her from that old law so that she could partake of a new life, making a commitment to a new man. Romans 7:4-6 Wherefore, my brethren, ye also are become dead to the law by the body of Christ; that ye should be married to another, even to him who is raised from the dead, that we should bring forth fruit unto God. (5) For when we were in the flesh, the motions of sins, which were by the law, did work in our members to bring forth fruit unto death. (6) But now we are delivered from the law, that being dead wherein we were held; that we should serve in newness of spirit, and not in the oldness of the letter. (KJV) When one becomes married they commit their life to that person and the two now become one. Someday there will be a culmination of the marriage between Christ and the Church. So for now while we are on this earth we need to honor our commitment in spirit and in truth if we wish to be true worshippers of our Lord. If you desire to do those things that are pleasing in the sight of our Lord then it can only be accomplished by those that worship or reverence Him in Spirit, walking in this realm and by the truth that sets us free to do so. The children of Israel were delivered from a terrible bondage, only at times to doubt the Lord and wish to return back to Egypt. In essence many Christians do the same thing. They are delivered from the law only to return back to it to find life, like looking for the living in a morgue. Why do people still keep hanging onto things that held them back and kept them separated from God rather than letting go so that they can walk in a newness of life? How many times have you seen people that were stuck in a relationship or situation with an overbearing person and your only thought is why don’t they just leave? How it must hurt our Father to watch His people still in bondage to dead things when He sent His Son and made a way of escape for them. The Lord provided our deliverance, a path that is located in the realm of the Spirit, and only those that hear His words of Spirit and life will find that path and walk out of Egypt. Romans 8:2-4 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death. (3) For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: (4) That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. (KJV) You have a clear path, a way of escape, a new law that trumps the old one and brings life to those that find it. A new law of faith is in Christ Jesus bringing a spiritual enlightenment so that you can see God’s true intention for you personally, not what He required for those under the old law. The flesh profits nothing and is no help in our walk, so quit following that path and get on the spiritual path that brings life. Romans 8:4-8 That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. (5) For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. (6) For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. (7) Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. (8) So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God. (KJV) It’s a crime and a shame to see what God provided for His people only to see them revert back to their old ways and thinking. All the evidence is provided for each and every believer in Christ, and it all points to the Spiritual realm and not the fallen fleshly one. Where are you walking today, and what path are you following? Is it one of escape, or are you walking backwards toward a graveyard? There is a God who is bringing His people words that are Spirit and that are life; a new life in Christ which each and every believer should be partaking of on a daily basis. Get out of the old and get into the new. God bless and have a prosperous day in Christ Jesus our Lord. Colossians 2:11-15 In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ: (12) Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead. (13) And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses; (14) Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross; (15) And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it. (KJV)
Williams New Testament translation for Colossians 2:11-15 11. And through your union with Him you once received, not a hand-performed circumcision but one performed by Christ, in stripping you of your lower nature, 12. for you were buried with Him in baptism and raised to life with Him through your faith in the power of God who raised Him from the dead. 13. Yes, although you were dead through your shortcomings and were physically uncircumcised, God made you live again through fellowship with Christ. He graciously forgave us all our shortcomings, 14. canceled the note that stood against us, with its requirements, and has put it out of our way by nailing it to the cross. 15. He thus stripped the principalities and dominions of power and made a public display of them, triumphing over them by the cross. Again as we notice in the above illustrations, that rituals of the old law were symbolic of what is taking place in the spiritual realm. As we ended yesterday’s study we concluded with the fact that circumcision means nothing to our Lord anymore because He is more concerned with the new man, a new creation in Christ that is forming within the believer. Baptism is illustrated again for us as one of spiritual in nature, a life changing event that should be taking place within the believer and not some outward show or ritual. Once one is able to die to self and their own desires of the flesh then the Spirit is able to take over so that your desires are more of those things which are above and not below, or below our Lord’s standards and intent for His people. The Lord removed the curse of the old law and nailed it to His cross symbolizing that the debt is paid and we are now free to walk in the liberty which is only found in Christ. When we see people still holding to laws and rituals, we are seeing people that profess to know God but by dead works deny Him and the completed work He accomplished for us. Simply put, they are calling God a liar and claiming He didn’t do a complete work and that more was needed; not a good place to be in people. 1 Corinthians 1:14-18 I thank God that I baptized none of you, but Crispus and Gaius; (15) Lest any should say that I had baptized in mine own name. (16) And I baptized also the household of Stephanas: besides, I know not whether I baptized any other. (17) For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect. (18) For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God. (KJV) I don’t know if there was a more die hard staunch believer, as well as indoctrinated in the old law, as a man named Paul, formerly known as Saul. As we see illustrated in the above verses, Paul himself came to the conclusion of what his calling truly was and how he himself was crossing over from the old into the new. Many people today enjoy hearing the word of God especially when it deals with blessings, but start teaching about dying to self, crucifying the flesh and its lusts, and that same many will head for the exits. Paul clearly states and points out that Christ did not send him to baptize, but rather teach the doctrine of Christ that deals with the new inward creation not the old fallen one. While many still consider the preaching and teaching of the cross and what it truly takes to be baptized into Christ foolishness, few realize that is where their salvation and power is. Take notice of verse 17 as well, because for those that still hold to these outward rituals and ignore the true spiritual meaning or implication of them, they are in essence leaning back to their own understanding and their teaching and preaching is of none effect. Hebrews 6:1-6 Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God, (2) Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment. (3) And this will we do, if God permit. (4) 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) Remember watching the movie ‘The Passion of the Christ’, and how painful it was to watch them nail our Lord to the cross? How one would watch this take place and think ‘how could they ever do that to our Lord’? Did you ever stop and think that is what is still taking place when people misinterpret the true spiritual meaning of the word of God, they are in essence crucifying the Lord and His doctrine again? One way or the other, you have a choice to either take up your own cross and follow our Lord, or drive another nail into our Lord and His people by teaching doctrine contrary to what our Lord intended. Remember when you sin and wound the conscience of the believers you are sinning personally against Christ, and crucifying Him all over again. As we see in the first few verses of Hebrews, that these basic principles and doctrines that were in place before are things we should be leaving behind, not still trying to implement. Once a believer gets a true taste of the truth and what these things symbolized it is time to move forward and walk in the Spirit, not trying to fulfill an old law that our Lord already did for us. Galatians 3:23-28 But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed. (24) Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith. (25) But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster. (26) For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. (27) For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.(28) There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus. (KJV) Schools out people, and has been for over two thousand years. God’s people have graduated and are now walking in a new realm, one of faith in what Christ Jesus has done on our behalf and wishes to continue in each and every believer. When you enter the realm of the Spirit and seek to be seated with Christ then you need to leave your old nature at the door and put on a new man in order to enter into this realm. While some people claim that a certain sect or group of people were responsible for the crucifixion of our Lord; the word clearly states that God knows no one after the flesh but after the Spirit. Bottom line, we are either for Him or against Him, and spiritually many are still crucifying and butchering the true spiritual meaning of the word of God by hanging onto dead rituals that were nailed to the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ. Are you crossing over into the realm of the Spirit, or are you still hanging onto dead things which only bring dead results? He that has ears to hear let them hear what the Spirit is truly speaking today. God’s best and continue to walk in the Spirit. Have a prosperous day in Christ Jesus our Lord. |
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