The Trouble with IF In addition to the “if’s” in Romans 8, the “if” in Colossians 1:23 caused me great trouble for many years. This is a situation in which we find English inferior to Greek in terms of expressing things. If the translators were to have dealt with this well, they would have been…
Spiritual Gifts I’ve recently been getting questions about spiritual gifts. I haven’t written much on this because frankly, I don’t think it should be our focus. Let me begin by affirming that I am not a cessationist. I believe all Father’s gifts are still available today. How can I not? They are from God and…
Slave to Sin or Righteousness When the Spirit gave you new birth, your lineage ceased to be through Adam–the lineage of the flesh, the natural human lineage. When you were reborn, you were re-created in the lineage of God Himself—the lineage of the Spirit, the spiritual lineage of God. Natural humans live according to what…
Sin Death and Conduct Romans 8:13 (NASB 2020)“for if you are living in accord with the flesh, you are going to die; but if by the Spirit you are putting to death the deeds of the body, you will live.” No one with the Spirit living within them will live a life characterized by fleshly…
Obeying Torah Some have asked about the need to obey Torah, the Law. The Law is codified in the first five books of our Bible. We call this the Pentateuch. Jesus, when asked about this topic, rightly summarized the Torah this way. “‘YOU SHALL LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, AND WITH…
Victory Over the Flesh Paul wrote that the power of sin is the law. In my own experience I find that the moment I begin to set my mind on not doing something, I begin to obsess about that thing. It captivates my thinking and I fall to the fleshly temptation it presents. See, I’ve…
Unnatural Conduct Someone recently emailed me about a devotional he had read. In it, the author, writing to believers, asserted that “you are still capable of your worst sin.” If that’s true, then does it really matter whether we believe we have one nature or two natures? I absolutely believe we have only one nature….
People are Messed Up This fallen world sure takes a toll, doesn’t it? We see the terrible effects all around us, weeds, storms, diseases, all sorts of awful stuff. Perhaps we see it most in people. We can be tempted to think that we’re okay and it’s everybody else that’s messed up. If we are…
Paul, James, and Peter each tell us similar things about persevering in trials and tribulations. Paul says this: “And not only this, but we also celebrate in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope;” (Romans 5:3-4 NASB20) Please note that the Greek word translated perseverance here…
Cleansed from Unrighteousness The removal or cleansing of unrighteousness is stressed throughout the Scriptures. One example is found in Numbers 5:1–3, which reads, “Then the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, ‘Command the sons of Israel that they send away from the camp everyone with leprosy, everyone having a discharge, and everyone who is unclean because…
Let Your Light Shine “In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” (Matthew 5:16, NIV) I used to read this verse and tremble. I trembled because I was nobody’s example of godly living. I trembled because talking to others about…
Greek lesson of the day: There are two Greek words rendered flesh or body in the New Testament. These words are sarx, and soma.The difference between soma (your body) and sarx (the flesh) is important.Your soma (your physical body) is the temple of the Holy Spirit.(1 Corinthians 6:19) Sarx (the flesh, which wars against the…
He has given you everything you need for life and godliness (2 Peter 1:3) because He has given you Himself (John 15:26) and He is life, (John 1:4) and He is God (John 10:30 & 20:28). He drives out fear, because He is perfect love, and that’s what perfect love does (1 John 4:18). You…
Since you have believed on the Lord Jesus, you have a new heart.It came from God when you were recreated.Your new heart is good, Loving, and trustworthy. When deciding what to do, you can trust that the Spirit is leading you.You can trust that the true desires of your new heart are coming from Him….
Christ-one,Are you living like this? You feel like God is dissatisfied with you.Your spiritual life is a Rollercoaster.You keep trying to do better.Each time, you think this is the one that will work.Soon you’re right back where you were.Or worse? Get off that treadmill!Stop chasing spiritual fulfillment.There is no program of behaviors that will take…
The designs of natural humanity are also called the things of the flesh, carnal things, the lust of the flesh, and so on.The designs of our Father are also called the things of the Spirit, spiritual things, what is unseen, and so on. The world’s design sees everything as based on merit.It declares that we…
So, as it relates to God and one another, there is knowledge of facts. This is knowing things about God. Then there is knowledge of God Himself. This is knowing who He is personally and knowing what He is like in His character, intimately.
The Natural Human Condition Natural people are born of the flesh (see John 3:6).They are separated from God (see 2 Thessalonians 1:9).Natural people cannot experience God (see 1 Corinthians 2:14).They do not know Him (see John 8:19 & Galatians 4:8).He does not know them (see Matthew 7:23).They cannot relate to Him.They are held in bondage…
It can seem like wickedness, evil, and deceit have no end. That this visible and tangible environment is the ultimate and only reality. It can appear as if societal structures and political positions are the most important issues of life.
This is the question that must be answered by everyone.
I was looking for a feeling that would indicate that the Holy Spirit was moving and that He was filling me with the fuel of blessing in my soul so that I could better resist temptation all week—or at least until Wednesday night when I could gather again if needed.
One thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on…
When we who are in Christ contemplate how we can engage with society in a godly way, we must remember that this world is the domain of darkness, the valley of the shadow of death.
Acknowledging the world for what it is helps keep our mindset on the spiritual and off the fleshly, or natural.
We all know that the Lord Jesus atoned for our sins, right? Actually, He did far more than that.
It’s important not to miss the fact that this is teaching us about the Kingdom and these virgins are all wanting to meet the Bridegroom. The parable says, “the Kingdom is like this” and then goes on to explain that not everyone gains entry.
