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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. Romans 6:8-14 Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him: (9) Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him. (10) For in that he died, he died unto sin once: but in that he liveth, he liveth unto God. (11) Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord. (12) Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof. (13) 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. (14) For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace. (KJV)
Now as verse 8 says, that if you are dead with Christ, dead to your own lusts and desires but alive with Him spiritually, then you are able to believe as well as live with Him in the realm of the Spirit. Once our Lord died it was done, not like under the old law where it would have to be done over and over again, but as we talked about yesterday it was a permanent change. Have you changed with the times, no I am not talking about being politically correct with the way of the world, but changing or transforming daily by the renewing of your mind in the things of God? Did you ever stop and think that when you yield yourself to the things of the old law and its rituals you are actually trying to establish your own righteousness, one our Lord doesn’t acknowledge? Another way to put it is when you are under the law then you have separated from grace, a grace that is needed in order to truly be saved. Galatians 3:10-14 For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them. (11) But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith. (12) And the law is not of faith: but, The man that doeth them shall live in them. (13) Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree: (14) That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith. (KJV) Wasn’t this the whole intent and purpose that our Lord came to redeem us from the curse of the old law? Yet with this in mind, why do so many still hold to the law and its dead rituals, especially when it comes to the true spiritual meaning of baptism? There is no justification in the law, no righteousness, and yet with this in mind so many still hold to the dead rituals of it, thinking they will find justification. Again, did it ever occur to you that when you hold to these traditions and doctrines of man that in essence you are yielding yourself to something unrighteous, a law of death, and not of life that you think you are finding? Instead of reaching out for the spiritual lifeline our Lord provides for us in Christ, many are still grabbing and hanging onto an anchor rope, one tied from their neck to a millstone. Romans 9:31-33 But Israel, which followed after the law of righteousness, hath not attained to the law of righteousness. (32) Wherefore? Because they sought it not by faith, but as it were by the works of the law. For they stumbled at that stumblingstone; (33) As it is written, Behold, I lay in Sion a stumblingstone and rock of offence: and whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. (KJV) Has much changed over the years, whether it be referred to as Israel or what man calls a church today? Rather than seek the Lord by faith to understand the true spiritual meaning of His word many are blindly rumbling, bumbling, and stumbling along seeking their answer in an old law and the works of it. There is a stone, a rock solid foundation for one to build their faith and trust in, that being Jesus Christ and the completed work He did for His people, not the completed work people think they still need to do. While many are running to and fro seeking the answer in the carnal realm they end up falling short by holding to a law that our Lord came to eliminate not duplicate, people. The only way you can and ever will be justified is by Christ, while anything else will have you falling short of the glory of God, basically falling flat on your face. Galatians 3:1-5 O foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you, that ye should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ hath been evidently set forth, crucified among you? (2) This only would I learn of you, Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith? (3) Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh? (4) Have ye suffered so many things in vain? if it be yet in vain. (5) He therefore that ministereth to you the Spirit, and worketh miracles among you, doeth he it by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith? (KJV) Did you know that witchcraft is considered a sin, something our Lord doesn’t look too kindly on? Years ago there was a TV program called ‘Bewitched’ where someone wiggled their nose and made things magically happen. Sound silly and ridiculous? Well, every time someone reverts back to the works of the law, which does include water baptism folks, it’s like watching a rerun of Bewitched, something foolish and farfetched from reality. Your entrance into the realm of the Spiritual had nothing to do with your own works, and you remaining in that realm has nothing to do with man’s works, but rather a faith in the work Jesus Christ has done on your behalf. Strong’s definition for ‘vain’: 1500 eike (i-kay'); probably from 1502 (through the idea of failure); idly, i.e. without reason (or effect): KJV-- without a cause, (in) vain (-ly). Interesting word there concerning vain, something that has no reason, idle fits also. You know, a hundred years ago money was printed and put into circulation for trading and getting provisions needed. Since that time however a new system has been put into place in order to buy and sell. If one tries to use the old system today it would not be accepted because it has been replaced by a new system. The same pattern holds true with our Lord, the old served its purpose and has been done away, replaced by something new and in operation today. So when you see things in the Bible, say for instance the word baptism, do you just limit it to the old outward realm, or are you able to see the deeper spiritual implication of it, something that is of use and has substance today? Take some time and pray about the things you do and why you do them; ‘is it because someone else said it was so, or is it something I know came from the Lord and keeps me in good standing with Him?’ There has been a changing of the guard people; are you changing into one of God’s people, or are you idly hung up on the old law and its rituals that our Lord said He came to do away with? Just because it is a crowd favorite with many of man’s so called people doesn’t mean it works with our Lord. In fact that which man holds in high esteem is an abomination with God. In other words, when you see the many doing something they think impresses or pleases God that would be the first red flag to go back and see what the Lord’s true take and intention is. As long as you hold God to be true and man the liar then you will not fall or stumble in your walk. God bless and have a prosperous day in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 3:3-4 For what if some did not believe? shall their unbelief make the faith of God without effect? (4) God forbid: yea, let God be true, but every man a liar; as it is written, That thou mightest be justified in thy sayings, and mightest overcome when thou art judged. (KJV)
How about a new motto for all believers, I now let God be true and man the liar. What if everyone else tells you something contrary to sound doctrine, will you bend and give in to peer pressure or are you grounded enough to let the word of God rule in your walk? Maybe you think this is not possible, well remember a guy named Noah, he had a choice to listen and follow the rest of the world, or to let one be true in his life that being God and His word. Remember it’s by our words we will either be justified or condemned, so as long as your words and God’s word are one in the same then you will remain in good standing with our Father. What if some around you don’t believe, maybe even those that you have been close to in the past, will you let that influence you or will you continue in the faith grounded and settled and not moved away? Discernment, rightly dividing the word of truth knowing the difference between the pure word of God and its spiritual meaning and interpretation, and mankind’s take on things. The reason man changes the meaning and distorts the truth is so that they can justify their lower fallen nature, which may fool some, but will be openly exposed to those that have their spiritual senses exercised to discern between good and evil intentions of the heart. Luke 18:24-27 And when Jesus saw that he was very sorrowful, he said, How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God! (25) For it is easier for a camel to go through a needle's eye, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God. (26) And they that heard it said, Who then can be saved? (27) And he said, The things which are impossible with men are possible with God. (KJV) Have you ever stopped to think about a couple of words used throughout the Bible, those being possible and impossible? What mankind calls possible God says is impossible, and what man says is impossible to God it is just another day at the office; in fact His word says that with Him all things are possible. Did you realize that once you were born again into the realm of the Spirit you now entered a realm with no boundaries or limitations, a realm where God is able to do above and beyond all that you could have ever asked or thought of? Oh but how often man comes along and tries to talk you out of that realm with words of doubt and fear because of their limited carnal thinking, trying to justify and make excuses for their fallen nature. While mankind judges according to the outward and many claim that by being rich they are blessed of God, the Lord had a different take on it when confronted with the rich man in the above verses. Back in those times, just as it is today, the rich are looked up to in this world and given special privileges, while in reality all our Lord is concerned with is the motive of our heart. While mankind has come up with thousands and thousands of denominations and interpretations for God’s plan of salvation, the word of God is quite clear to point out that there is only one Lord and one faith that will be accepted by our Father. Knowing the difference between what God says is possible, and what man says is a life and death matter. Because in the end only one interpretation will allow you access to your eternal inheritance, while anything else will be turned away at the door. Luke 18:28-30 Then Peter said, Lo, we have left all, and followed thee. (29) And he said unto them, Verily I say unto you, There is no man that hath left house, or parents, or brethren, or wife, or children, for the kingdom of God's sake, (30) Who shall not receive manifold more in this present time, and in the world to come life everlasting. (KJV) We see Peter being a bit concerned where he stands with the Lord, having just found out that being rich was not all it was cracked up to be, especially when so many of the greedy Scribes and Pharisees had been preaching it. Is there a doctrine, teaching, or ritual you are still holding to that is contrary to what you know is truth, even if it is something that is popular with the world? Is there something or someone you see in verse 29 that is holding you back in your walk, something that still has more of an influence on you than God does? I bring this up for the same reason the Lord did, because no man can serve two masters, or as the word of God points out, a house divided will fall. When the word of God refers to receiving more in this present time, are you looking to the outward and judging according to that realm, or are you thinking in line with what the Lord intends for His people, all the treasures of His wisdom and knowledge? You wonder why your walk with the Lord seems stale and at a standstill at times, or maybe right now? It may be time to do a personal inventory, to make sure that something you may still be holding onto that our Lord is saying is impossible for you to move forward with, is now something you may possibly need to let go of in order to receive a full reward from Him. But know this, the enemy is going to fight you to hang onto these dead things, trying to get you to focus on what you are missing out on, and not on the blessings God has in store for your obedience. Know this too, that the longer you hang onto something our Lord says is dead the more you become like the thing He is asking you to let go of, or forsake. Hebrews 11:6-7 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. (7) By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith. (KJV) Mankind has developed so many religions and different ways which they think they can please God with; when in reality it simply comes down to faith, your ability to personally hear the message of God delivered by Christ, and let His spirit lead and guide you through this present evil world. We see a man named Noah and read the account of how he built this ark, but did you ever stop and think of the ridicule and persecution this man must have endured? Talk about letting God be true and man the liar, it was only Noah and his family, eight souls that made it through the flood because He chose faith. Doesn’t the word of God describe the end times and the coming of our Lord as being similar to the days of Noah; so if it was faith in what man said was impossible, would it not be possible to say that only faith today will provide the deliverance as well? Romans 9:31-33 But Israel, which followed after the law of righteousness, hath not attained to the law of righteousness. (32) Wherefore? Because they sought it not by faith, but as it were by the works of the law. For they stumbled at that stumblingstone; (33) As it is written, Behold, I lay in Sion a stumblingstone and rock of offence: and whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. (KJV) Even God’s original chosen people continue this day to try to worship our Lord according to the works of the law and not by faith; which the Lord said without faith it would be impossible to please Him. As I look around today I still see many who hold to outward laws and rituals, some claiming that you have to show up to certain buildings on certain special days or you won’t be saved. Bottom line, unless you have a personal relationship with God through a working knowledge of His Son Jesus Christ you are none of His, but rather operating in a realm our Lord clearly says is impossible to please Him in. With God, all things are truly possible to them that believe, while anything else is telling God He is the liar and man is true, yikes. Matthew 12:30 He that is not with me is against me; and he that gathereth not with me scattereth abroad. (KJV) There is truly a difference between what man says is possible and what God has to say on the matter; now the question is, who will you hold to? If there is anything or anyone you are trying to hold onto that has more of an influence on you than God, then it will be impossible to serve Him. However if you are willing to sell out from the ways of the world and all its worldly people then you will find that all things are now possible for you, because you are willing to believe in someone greater in you than he that is within the world. Someday all mankind is going to find out that God is true, it was mankind and his fallen nature that chose to believe the lie, so why not let that be today? God bless and have a prosperous day in Christ Jesus our Lord. Galatians 6:12-15 As many as desire to make a fair shew in the flesh, they constrain you to be circumcised; only lest they should suffer persecution for the cross of Christ. (13) For neither they themselves who are circumcised keep the law; but desire to have you circumcised, that they may glory in your flesh. (14) But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world. (15) For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature. (KJV)
Whether the old law and its rituals manifest in the form of circumcision, water baptisms, or any other outward events, the only thing that matters to God is that new creation within the believer. If one goes back through the Bible, especially the book of Acts, you will see that most of the persecution came from those that claimed to be believers; the problem they had with Paul is that He was bringing forth a new doctrine apart from the works of the law. As we see in verse 14 the only thing Paul was holding to was the work the Lord did on our behalf, and anything else was dead and crucified unto him, as he considered himself to be crucified unto any worldly doctrine of man. It’s no longer about the outward man that is going to bring peace, but rather that new creation in Christ is what has brought forth the restoration and a confidence in His work, and not ours. Galatians 6:12-15 These men who are trying to force you to let yourselves be circumcised simply want to make a fine outward show, only to keep you from being persecuted for the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ. (13) Indeed, the very men who let themselves be circumcised do not themselves observe the law. But they simply want you to let yourselves be circumcised, so that they can boast of you as members of their party. (14) But may it never be mine to boast of anything but the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me and I to the world! (15) For neither circumcision nor the lack of it has any value, but only a new creation. (Williams translation) Today we see the same thing going on as was in the early church; rather than hold to the simple truth that it is of faith and not of works, so many cave in to peer pressure, because rather than take a stand they fall away into a realm the Lord said was destroyed and done away. The devil and his workers would like nothing better than to see the simplicity of the gospel of Christ perverted and complicated with a bunch of man-made doctrines and rituals, rather than have the simple truth in Christ. Many today try to seal the deal with these outward rituals so that they too can boast that you are one of theirs because of something they accomplished, and not what the Lord accomplished on their behalf. So what is your priority this day; is it feeding and nurturing that new creation within you, or are you still trying to establish a spiritual relationship based on some outward show? 2 Corinthians 5:16-17 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. (17) Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. (KJV) This is what we have been talking about all week, even though we knew Christ according to the old law and its fleshly or carnal ways, we are no longer to observe Him that way. Once one becomes a new creation in Christ all those old things which He took out of our way and nailed to His cross is passed away; dead, died, and buried. Now our only concern should be for that new man within us and how to do those things that are pleasing to God despite what mankind may think or comprehend as being godly. We should be renewed in the spirit of our mind, having access to the mind of Christ, so that we can continue to walk in this newness of life and not the oldness of the letter of the law which is death. After all, when you stand before the judgment seat of Christ someday what is it that will truly give you access into His eternal realm; the works you thought would impress Him, or allowing Him to do a new work in and through you? Romans 3:20-22 Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin. (21) But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets; (22) Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference: (KJV) Here is your justification, a simple faith in what our Lord Jesus Christ did on our behalf, not by some works of the law that we think still needs to be accomplished on His behalf. Where is your faith truly rooted and grounded in people; in something you are going to do, or in a belief in what the Lord is doing in you? This is a faith that will keep you in good standing with our Lord so that you no longer will fall away back into the realm of the flesh, but learn more and more how to stay seated in the realm of the Spirit. Haven’t you heard enough testimonies of people that constantly backslide; people that truly had a zeal for God but obviously it wasn’t according to His knowledge? Many fall away and find that they are not being renewed because they are still under the works of the law where there is still a knowledge of sin, and not a confidence in the work the Lord is doing within them, they are still looking without for the answer. And while there are those that are promising them liberty, many are still the servants of corruption because of their lack of faith in Christ, and the only justification they will find in Him. Romans 3:23-28 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; (24) Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: (25) Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God; (26) To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus. (27) Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? of works? Nay: but by the law of faith. (28) Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law. (KJV) Justified freely by His grace, that is it; that simple folks, nothing else. We are saved by grace through faith and not of works, which truly eliminates any boasting on our part. You have been given a first class ticket to the heavenly realm so that you can escape the corruption of this world and walk in the newness of life that God intended for you. Now all that is left for you to do in order to board this flight is to pass through security, and provide the proper password and documents to get you home. Jesus Christ said that He was the only way home by the truth which will set you free and give you this new life in Him, above and beyond what you could have ever asked or thought about. All aboard? God bless and have a prosperous day in Christ Jesus our Lord. Hebrews 7:19 For the law made nothing perfect, but the bringing in of a better hope did; by the which we draw nigh unto God. (KJV)
Do you want to draw close to God and grow in Him? Then you need to withdraw yourself from the law and the works of it to succeed. Many begin in the Spirit and still try to perfect or become mature in the Lord by the flesh and its carnal ordinances. Ever wonder why so many Christians are weak and sickly? Those that should be a beacon of spiritual light are a flickering candle getting dimmer and dimmer. Galatians 3:10-14 For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them. (11) But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith. (12) And the law is not of faith: but, The man that doeth them shall live in them. (13) Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree: (14) That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith. (KJV) The promise that mankind has been waiting for, the promise of the Messiah that the Old Testament prophets wrote of has arrived and brought us a perfect plan of salvation that would release us from the curse of the old law. If you read back to the beginning of this Chapter 3, you will find that many begin in the Spirit with a simple belief in Christ and then go and spoil the plan by reverting back to laws and rituals that are done away in Christ. Rather than having faith in the work Jesus Christ did on our behalf, and the sacrifice that was paid and accepted of the Father as complete, we in essence by these dead works are telling the Lord that He didn’t do a complete work. God the Father accepted the blood sacrifice of His Son, then released the debt of sin and separation from Him, and has given us a ministry of reconciliation through Jesus Christ. If you plan on continuing your walk in the Spirit, and would like to grow closer to the Lord, then from this point on it can only be accomplished by faith. Acts 13:38-39 Be it known unto you therefore, men and brethren, that through this man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins: (39) And by him all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses. (KJV) No matter how you slice it, no matter how much you twist and turn things to try to make them fit, the only justification with our Lord is apart from works. The man being referred to in the above verses is none other than Jesus Christ; and in order to be justified, which means to render free, innocent and righteous, it can only be accomplished by faith in Him. Anytime one steps outside the realm of faith they are walking away from the Lord and trying to find another way into the kingdom, which the Bible refers to them as a thief and a robber; letting the devil steal the life and cut off the line of communication of the believer. It’s the simplicity of the gospel that many miss. Rather than keeping it simple, they complicate a simple plan of salvation by faith with a bunch of man-made additional works that cause more confusion than peace. Hebrews 6:1-3 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. (KJV) Our indoctrination into God’s plan of salvation came in the form of Jesus Christ, who came and fulfilled the law, which culminated in the perfect sacrifice through His laying down His life for all mankind. Having resurrected and now seated at the right hand of the Father, this simple plan of salvation is manifest through a law of faith. Many today still seek forgiveness and repentance through dead works thinking something else needs to be done in order to be justified. Many believe in God and have a faith toward Him but are unable to tap into the measure of faith they were given; so rather than look inward they are still seeking the answer in the outward. It goes without saying that many still keep the doctrine of the external baptism in play, which is nothing more than a watered down dead doctrine. Verse 3 uses the word permit, which means to give liberty or be set free. The only way a believer can be set free and draw nigh or close to God and go on to perfection (maturity) in Christ, is by leaving the works of the law dead and buried. 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) Without faith it is impossible to please God and they that are in the flesh cannot please God. The reason many believers fall away and get duped by the devil is because they miss the simple fact that it was faith that got them into the kingdom, and only faith in the completed sacrifice of Jesus Christ can keep them in it. Many crucify the simple doctrine of Christ by basically telling Him that He didn’t do a complete job, and that there is still work that needs to be done. John 6:28-29 Then said they unto him, What shall we do, that we might work the works of God? (29) Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent. (KJV) Christ in you is the only hope of glory. This is the hope that was brought to all mankind, the gift of life given to bring healing and restoration to a fallen world. Anytime you look outside the realm of faith to find your answer you are stepping away from the Lord instead of being drawn closer to Him. Anytime you put yourself back under the old law and its dead works which were nailed to the cross you are telling the Lord that He is a liar and did not do a complete job. Matthew 12:36-37 But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment. (37) For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned. (KJV) The word idle means, inactive or useless; which sounds like dead works, those things that keep a person from moving forward. Words of faith will build up the believer and bring them closer to the Lord. Your words which come from the heart will either bring you justification or condemnation. And those that speak in line with the Lord and operate according to the law of faith will find themselves innocent and just before the Lord. Anything less will just keep one stagnant and idle, and they will not be going anywhere for a while. God bless and have a prosperous day in Christ Jesus our Lord. |
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