2019-07-19
Good Morning Dear Ones,
I’m commanded to continue supplying supporting Scripture to the amazing, little, 4-chapter book of Colossians. This provision at the same time reveals what an ideal vertical relationship with God is and what our relationships with other people should be. It doesn’t get more important to us and to our Lord! I spent two years teaching the Precepts Ministries classes on the book of Romans-one of the most important books of the NT. It has 16 chapters, the first 12 of which are the greatest statement of Christian fundamentals that we have. The remaining 4 chapters are a great “how-to-be a good Christian.” RO 6: 1-14 discusses being “Dead to Sin but Alive in Union with Christ.” RO 6: 15-23 takes up being “Slaves to Righteousness.” So, join me, and let’s dive in.
The apostle, Paul, sets up the question: “Should we continue to sin so that God’s grace will increase?” Answering his own question, Paul says, “Certainly not!” This argument was directed at the Anti-nomians of his time, who believed in grace without license. Anti means against, and Nomian means law. What follows this question and rhetorical answer is Paul’s elaboration on what he means. Paul goes on to say, “If we have died to sin, how can we go on living with it? When we were baptized into union with Christ Jesus, we were baptized into union with His death. By our baptism, then, we were buried with Him and shared His death, in order the just as Christ was raised from death by the glorious power of the Father, so also that we may live a new life” [RO 6: 1-4]. This symbolically connects our being baptism with His death and resurrection. Since He was raised to life, so we will be raised to a new life. Our old selves are put to death on His cross, so that the power of the old sinfulness is destroyed. In simpler words, we are no longer slaves to sin [RO 6: 5-6]. Prior to this time, humankind was not given a choice but to sin. With our union with Christ Jesus, we now have the choice to sin or not. Once the Lord Jesus was resurrected, He would never die again—neither sin, nor death will no longer rule over Him. We should think of ourselves in fellowship with God through Christ [RO 6: 7-11]. Paul asserts that we should not allow sin to rule over us the way it did before we came to faith in the Lord Jesus. Prior to coming to faith in Him, the desires of our natural selves held sway over us. Now, we must give all of ourselves to God and righteous purposes. We no longer live under the law, but under God’s grace [RO 6: 12-14]. There is a huge difference, when one shucks off the legalism of living under the law and lives under the warmth of God’s grace. Traditional Jews who reject Christ’s deity live in the law; Messianic Jews live under God’s grace. [See RO 7: 6].
As GA 5: 16-17 says, the Holy Spirit’s desires and sin’s desires are opposites. Sinning results in spiritual death, while obedience to God results in eternal life. When one obeys God, he is put right with God. Those who believe in Christ and obey God become “slaves to righteousness.” Being slaves to righteousness means the true believer in Christ gives himself up “to holy purposes.” [RO 6: 15-19]. Paul goes on to ask: “When you were sinning as the old selves, what did you gain?” Once again, he makes the point that sinning results in spiritual death, and obeying God while living in Christ is a way an eternal life of sweet fellowship with God and His Son. For sin pays its wage—death; but God’s free- gift is eternal life in union with Christ Jesus our Lord” [RO 6: 20-23].
Over the span of human history, God has chosen people, like Moses, Joseph, Samuel, Daniel, and Paul, and imbued them with extra talents. In particular, Moses was able to lead the Jews out of Egypt with full knowledge of God’s will. Samuel reached adulthood as an always -obedient servant of God. Joseph and Daniel had the ability to interpret dreams, and Paul could anticipate the objections of various groups [Anti-Nomians, former traditional Jews, and former Pagans] that made up his followers as he traveled. Moreover, he had the mind of a righteous lawyer, a keen intellect, and could speak powerfully, despite appearing very ordinary in voice and appearance. Paul’s history was colorful indeed. He was raised in an intellectual household of traditional Jews. We first see him at the stoning of Stephen, in AC 7: 58. Later, in AC 8: 3, we learn that Paul (then called Saul of Tarsus) was persecuting Jewish Christians for the Sanhedrin (Jewish Ruling Council). In AC 9: 1-19 tells the story of Saul’s remarkable conversion to Christ, his name- change to “Paul,” and his call to serve the Lord Jesus. I’ve often said the difference between life before Christ enters it and after is huge. Certainly, it was for Paul. RO 12: 2, “Do not conform yourselves to the standards of this world, but let God transform you inwardly by a complete renewal of your mind. Then you will be able to know the will of God—what is good and is pleasing to Him and is perfect.”
PRAYER: O Lord, You are to be thanked and praised for the gift of a new and better life You have given us, through our faith in Your Son and our Lord, Jesus Christ. As a former traditional Jew, You have led me on a path that I could have never imagined possible. When I was under the power of sin, I had no self-esteem or confidence. I looked longingly at other people doing things I wanted for myself. Envy had me in a chokehold. I lacked knowledge of what I could do, or the skill set for ministry that You gave me. I was depressed and unhappy; I didn’t believe I could ever find inner peace and strength. As I grew to adulthood, You allowed me to leave traditional Judaism, which was separating me from the mainstream of our society and not fulfilling me spiritually. You took me on a path through two other denominations, which gradually opened my eyes to the joy and hope that believing in the Lord Jesus gives us. Through living all over North America, I learned how to acclimate myself to different cultures quickly. You brought many wonderful friendships into my life and taught me how to deem which people can be good friends with good motives. It’s a long, interesting path from traditional Judaism to serving God full-time in ministry at an LCMC Lutheran church. Along the way, You gave me the ability to knit and crochet, to write about You, and to teach adult Bible classes. My own slavery to righteousness has made my life better, given me the self-esteem and confidence I need, and granted me direction and inner peace. I am passionate about serving others for the Lord Jesus and offer my honor, loyalty, and love to You. In the holy and mighty name of Jesus Christ, I offer this prayer of thanks and praise. Amen.
NEXT WEEK: I’m commanded by the Holy Spirit to continue presenting Scriptures that support the book of Colossians. At the same time, I’ve been told that we will continue looking at our relationships as believers with God and with other people. Some of the passages I’m to examine are COL 3: 5, 8-9; 1 COR 6: 9-10, and GAL 5: 19-20. Having read the prayer above, you know what has been on my mind. This last week, I had a very troublesome illness. Since I am much better now, I can reveal how very grateful I am. Thankfully, this is the kind of illness, which eventually passes on its own, but it really gave me a “run for my money.” My husband had it too, but for a much shorter time. Throughout my life, I’ve learned that even though I thought God didn’t exist at first, He has gradually made His presence known in my life, as I was ready for it. My life before our Lord Jesus entered it was chaotic and dysfunctional emotionally and lacked spiritual fulfillment. God gave me the purpose I have now, directing me to His service in ministry. Others in my early life, tried to exert their will for me in the choice of a career. I ended up beginning in the wrong one for me and having to make big changes to live the life I have now. Our God is good, and He loves and calls even the most unexpected people to His service. I feel His love awash over me every day! My hope is that you also have this feeling. He is to be praised and thanked for making us alive in Christ and dead to sin’s power!
Grace Be With You Always,
Lynn
JS 24: 15
© Lynn Johnson 2019. All Rights Reserved.
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