Word for the Day

 

Romans - No Longer Bound to the Law

No Longer Bound to the Law

Romans 7:1-6

 

“...don’t you know that the law applies only while a person is living?” Romans 7:1b

 

            Paul uses an excellent illustration by comparing marriage to our relationship to the Mosaic law. He says that when a spouse passes away the law regarding marriage no longer applies to the one who remains. 

            When a person receives Christ into their life they are at that point dead to sin, for Christ by virtue of His death on the cross, paid our sin debt so our sins are no longer able to condemn us. An unsaved person’s life is centered on personal gratification ... they are self-absorbed. A believer has God as his or her center, with their view of everything changing. They are now living in the Spirit. They no longer have to figure things out on their own. Their personal spiritual guide is within us to lead and direct them into all Godly things.

            It dawned on me that perhaps Paul used a marriage illustration because the Church is called “the bride” while Jesus is called “the bride groom”. So in a manner of speaking our relationship with Christ is like a marriage. We cultivate our relationship with our new spouse to know them intimately. We don’t strive to imitate our spouse, so in that regard it is different than our intimacy with Christ, for He is our example of how to live a life that is victorious and pleasing to our Lord. Christ died so that we might live, and this new life is no longer bound by the law. Having said that, with sins forgiven and our new godly guide to lead us we end up abiding by the OT law out of happenstance and not out of obligation. Following the law to please God is no longer mandatory, but voluntary. Next time we discuss how God’s law reveals our sin. Until then, walk with the King and be a blessing.

In His name & for His glory,

Richard Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

Resource: The Life Application Study Bible.

Word for the Day

 

Romans - Sin’s Power is Broken

Sin’s Power is Broken

Romans 6

 

“We know that our old sinful selves were crucified with Christ so that sin might lose its power in our lives. We are no longer slaves to sin. For when we died with Christ we were set free from the power of sin. And since we died with Christ, we know we will also live with him.” (Romans 6:6-8)

 

                  In chapter 6 we find Paul bringing home the truth that thru Christ’s death the power of sin is shattered. Once we are become one with Christ we are no longer subject to the power of sin. “...do not give the devil a foothold. Anyone who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with their own hands, that they may have something to share with those in need.” (Ephesians 4:27-28)

                  When you receive God’s incredible gift of forgiveness we are different.  “...if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God. God made him who had no sin to be sin[b] for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.” (Ephesians 5:17-21)

                  Paul cautions the Roman believers not to misinterpret God’s patience and love by saying ‘since God forgives, let us continue to sin and then simply ask for forgiveness after’. Paul says that is utter nonsense. To continue to sin after you were forgiven is to trample on God’s grace. The punishment will be worse for any who justifies their continued sinning due to God’s forgiving nature. They have missed the point. You are a new creation for a reason, to live life as a free man, woman, and child with the goal of soaking in all that Christ is so that we might imitate His behavior.

                  Paul concludes chapter 6 with a final point.... the cost of sinning is death, for evil cannot exist within the realm of God; however, the gift that comes as a result of ones acceptance is eternal life. Don’t figuratively spit in the Lord’s face by being willing to enjoy the fruits of salvation only to continue sinning. Those who do this will ultimately be dealt with at the proper time. God is serious regarding ones serving him for this is a blessing and not a hardship. Being no longer slaves of sin, we begin to regret those things we’ve done in the past. We must now do those things that lead to holiness and eternal life. It may seem unattainable, but nothing is out of reach when God is in charge of your life and the Holy Spirit is there to lead and guide you. Next time we’ll look at how we’re no longer bound by the OT Law. Until next time, walk with the King and be a blessing.

In His name & for His glory,

Richard Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

Resource: The Life Application Study Bible. 

Romans - Adam v. Christ

The Contrast between Adam & Christ

Romans 5:12-21 NLT

 

“When Adam sinned, sin entered the world. Adam’s sin brought death, so death spread to everyone, for everyone sinned.”  (Verse 12)

 

            My initial question is “why was Adam blamed for the sin Eve committed”? Good question, but there is a clear and concise answer to that question. Adam was created first; Eve was created out of Adam to be his helpmate. Prior to Eve being created Adam was told of the one restriction that God required of him. Therefore Adam was responsible for his family. It is apparent that Adam made Eve aware of this restriction. When God sought out Adam & Eve after they sinned, He called for Adam as the head of the family. Since Adam was responsible, he was blamed for committing the sin. It’s interesting to note that beginning in Genesis 3:12, Adam tried to pass blame on to Eve, who in turn blamed the serpent’s deception. As a result, God’s curse fell on all parties. The thought of Adam and Eve attempting to hide from an all-seeing, all-knowing God is a little humorous, if the truth be told. Don’t hide from God when you do something wrong... own up to it and seek forgiveness.

            The immediate contrast seen between Adam and Christ is that Adam brought sin into the world infecting all mankind, while Jesus was sent by God to bring the only true remedy for the sins of man. Christ’s shed blood, when applied to one’s life, cleansed all sin, making that person once again right with God as Adam and Eve were prior to “the sin”.

            This sin took place prior to the establishment of God’s law, so man’s wrongdoing after the original sin wasn’t counted against them as sin for no law was yet in place. Once the Ten Commandments were passed to Moses by God, there was a measuring rod that revealed what was sinful. That was the purpose of God’s Law...”so all people could see how sinful they were.”

            Paul rammed home that freedom from sin was due to God’s gift of salvation by repeating the great exchange that came with Christ’s blood. Next time we’ll look at Sin’s power being broken ... until then, walk with the King and be a blessing.

In His name & for His glory,

Richard Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

Resource: The Life Application Study Bible

Word for the Day

 

Romans - Abraham

Taking a Closer Look @ Abraham

 

            Paul used Abraham from the OT to show how one man exercised his faith in God & how it was counted as righteousness. At the time of Abraham’s life there was no law to follow. The purpose of the law was to reveal man’s inability to follow it perfectly. We all sin & Abraham was no different. 

            God chose Abraham to become the founder & spiritual father of the Jewish nation. God loved Abraham & blessed him greatly. Even though Abraham was far from perfect, he had a strong listing of accomplishments which start with his faith pleasing God. He was deeply respected by his peers & was seen as courageous in defending his family. Abraham was shown to be a caring father to his own family & was hospitable toward others. Because of God’s incredible blessing Abraham was a successful & wealthy rancher. Abraham liked to avoid conflicts, however, when they were unavoidable he allowed his opponent to declare the set of rules for settling the dispute.

            A weakness Abraham had was to put off making a decision when confronted with difficult situations. When he is given a choice Abraham first thought of himself, so he tended to be selfish and self-centered at times. 

Being a sinner who strived to live according to God’s directives found in scripture, he was caught distorting the truth as a means of saving both his & Sarah’s life. The consequences of Abraham’s lie caused plagues to take place in Egypt where his lie was told to Pharaoh. You can read all about it in Genesis 12:10-20. 

The greatest way Abraham exercised his faith was to pick up his entire family, along with all his animals & possessions & leave his home in Ur just because Almighty God told him to go. The kicker is that he was never told where God wanted him to go. That took an immense amount of faith & trust in God.

As with Abraham, God doesn’t want us to simply drift aimlessly thru life, but rather be a positive influence for Him. To accomplish that we must be able to discern what God is saying to us & then learn how to focus on the Spirit’s leading & without hesitation go do it. That is living by faith. 

Although Jesus is the one we are to emulate, it’s vital to know Abraham’s story as an impressive scriptural example of having faith & exercising it. Until next time, walk with the King & be a blessing.

In His name & for His glory,

Richard Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

Resource: The Life Application Study Bible.