Sometimes the Lord calms the storm;
Sometimes He lets the storm rage and calms His child
as He leads them to victory.
fkj
The Difficult Teachings of Jesus Christ: Part 1
For many Christians the red letter’s of the New Testament alone represent the words of the Lord. The Word proclaims:
1In the beginning was the Word,
and the Word was with God,
and the Word was God.
2He was in the beginning with God.
3All things came into being through Him,
and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being.
4In Him was life, and the life was the Light of men.
5The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not [a]comprehend it.
John 1:1-5 NASB
The entire Word of God represents the Word of God… it says that all Scripture is given
“All Scripture is inspired by God
and profitable for teaching,
for reproof, for correction,
for training in righteousness;
17so that the man of God may be adequate,
equipped for every good work.”
2 Timothy 3:16-17 NASB
Thus when we open the Scriptures, we must do so with balance and inclusiveness if we are to get a full understanding of how we are to walk before our God. This includes understanding what is required of us, and how we are to walk so that God’s will for our lives will overcome the desires and works of the enemy.
“For the flesh sets its desire against the Spirit,
and the Spirit against the flesh;
for these are in opposition to one another,
so that you may not do the things that you please.”
Galatians 5:17 NASB
There is a war raging within each of us between what is birthed of the Holy Spirit within us and the desires of our flesh. No one is exempt from the struggle, not you, nor I. The Scripture above was written to the Galatian church, to believers like us. The issue here is one of leading and surrender. Who will we choose to allow to be in the lead, our own earthly desires or the Spirit of God. We will only see victory and experience the fullness of our inheritance in Christ if we choose the way of the Spirit of God.
If we will choose to yield ourselves wholly to the wooing of the Spirit, in the grace of our Lord… we will not come under condemnation but walk in freedom.
1Therefore there is now no condemnation
for those who are in Christ Jesus.
2For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus
has set you free from the law of sin and of death.
3For what the Law could not do,
weak as it was through the flesh,
God did: sending His own Son
in the likeness of sinful flesh and as an offering for sin,
He condemned sin in the flesh,
4so that the requirement of the Law might be fulfilled in us,
who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.
5For those who are according to the flesh set their minds
on the things of the flesh, but those who are according to the Spirit,
the things of the Spirit.
Romans 8:1-5 NASB
Walking in the freedom of the Lord is a choice we must make each day. When we are diligent to do so we will not experience any condemnation because the very nature of Jesus Christ in us will set us free from the old law of sin and death. Jesus proclaims that yes, we will have tribulation in this world; but we should rejoice in that he has come to assure us victory over every area of sin, bondage and sickness.
“These things I have spoken to you,
so that in Me you may have peace
In the world you have tribulation,
but take courage; I have overcome the world."
John 16:33 NASB
What follows in Galatians is a sobering admonition
about the signs of back-sliding believers.
19Now the deeds of the flesh are evident,
which are: immorality, impurity, sensuality,
20idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy,
outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions,
21envying, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these,
of which I forewarn you, just as I have forewarned you,
that those who practice such things
will not inherit the kingdom of God.
Galatians 5:19-21 NASB
[19] Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, (KJV)
Now the works of the flesh — By which that inward principle is discovered.
are manifest — Plain and undeniable.
The works are mentioned in the plural because they are distinct from,
and often inconsistent with, each other.
But "the fruit of the Spirit" is mentioned in the singular, Galatians 5:22, as being all consistent and connected together.
— He enumerates those "works of the flesh" to which the Galatians were most inclined; and those parts of "the fruit of the Spirit" of which they stood in the greatest need. We also are so inclined, and equally in need of the work and fruits of the Holy Spirit.
Some of the terms used here are self evident while others could use a little expanding on if we are to understand what these Scriptures are requiring of us.
Lasciviousness — The Greek word means anything inward or outward that is contrary to chastity.
It also means: bender. binge, blowout, bust, carousal, depravity, dissipation, drunkenness, excess, fornication, incontinence, indulgence, intemperance, lustful intimacy, lechery, lewdness, lust, orgy, overindulgence, revelry, seduction, fast living, gluttony, sensuality, or living life in the “fast lane.”
To the contrary, walking in the Spirit is characterized by benevolence (love), giving, unselfishness and mercifulness.
[20] Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, (KJV)
Idolatry, witchcraft — That this means witchcraft, strictly speaking, it appears from its being joined with the worship of devil-gods, and not necessarily with murder. This is frequently and solemnly forbidden in the Old Testament. To deny therefore that there is, or ever was, any such thing, is, by plain consequence, to deny the authority both of the Old and New Testament.
Heresies are divisions in religious communities.
Emulations are: unnatural appitite, ardor, jealous aspirations, cravings, lustful drives, hunger, longing, sensual love or lust.
Life in the Spirit to the contrary leads to: contentment, humility, satisfaction and peace.
[21] Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.
Revellings — means to indulge in luxurious entertainments, to bask, carouse, carry-on, cut loose, fool around, frolick, gloat, indulge, relish, to blow off steam, savor, wallow in , kick up ones heel. The type of behavior engaged in by the first prodical son who took and squandered his father’s inheritance.
Some of the works here mentioned are wrought principally, if not entirely, in the mind; and yet they are called "works of the flesh." This makes it is clear, the apostle does not by "the flesh" mean just the body, or sensual appetites and inclinations only, but the corruption of human nature, as it spreads through all the powers of the soul, (the mind, will and emotions) as well as all the physical members of the body.
Of which I tell you before — Before the event, I forewarn you.
When we examine such Scriptures closely we begin to feel the weight of the requirements for walking in the kingdom of God.
First John 2:6 states clearly that “Whoever claims to live in Him must walk as Jesus did.”
Jesus walked in object purity! And he did so as a man in the flesh, to demonstrate to us that it is possible for us to do the same. To walk such a life we must walk in the Spirit as Jesus did. He overcame every obsticle and performed every miracle as a man being lead by the Spirit to complete His Father’s will. We are called to walk in the fullness of His stature.
“ …until we all attain to the unity of the faith,
and of the knowledge of the Son of God,
to a mature man,
to the measure of the stature
which belongs to the fullness of Christ.”
Ephesians 4:13 NASB
Jesus calls us still saying:
“Therefore you are to be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.”
Matthew 5:48 NASB
“Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children”
Ephesians 5:1 NASB
because it is written, "YOU SHALL BE HOLY, FOR I AM HOLY."
1 Peter 1:16 NASB (Quoting Leviticus: 11:44; 19:2; 20:7)
Jesus overcame temptation, and became the spotless Lamb of God, so that we could do the same. He proclaimed that it was better for us that He returned to the Father so that the Holy Spirit would come and lead us to all truth and victory.
The pattern of the carnal flesh is struggle – defeat – struggle – defeat… an endless cycle of bitter failure and depression. The pattern of a life in Jesus Christ, being lead of the Holy Spirit is grace to grace, holiness to holiness, victory to victory in the face of any and all opposition.
30
fkj
Sometimes He lets the storm rage and calms His child
as He leads them to victory.
fkj
The Difficult Teachings of Jesus Christ: Part 1
For many Christians the red letter’s of the New Testament alone represent the words of the Lord. The Word proclaims:
1In the beginning was the Word,
and the Word was with God,
and the Word was God.
2He was in the beginning with God.
3All things came into being through Him,
and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being.
4In Him was life, and the life was the Light of men.
5The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not [a]comprehend it.
John 1:1-5 NASB
The entire Word of God represents the Word of God… it says that all Scripture is given
“All Scripture is inspired by God
and profitable for teaching,
for reproof, for correction,
for training in righteousness;
17so that the man of God may be adequate,
equipped for every good work.”
2 Timothy 3:16-17 NASB
Thus when we open the Scriptures, we must do so with balance and inclusiveness if we are to get a full understanding of how we are to walk before our God. This includes understanding what is required of us, and how we are to walk so that God’s will for our lives will overcome the desires and works of the enemy.
“For the flesh sets its desire against the Spirit,
and the Spirit against the flesh;
for these are in opposition to one another,
so that you may not do the things that you please.”
Galatians 5:17 NASB
There is a war raging within each of us between what is birthed of the Holy Spirit within us and the desires of our flesh. No one is exempt from the struggle, not you, nor I. The Scripture above was written to the Galatian church, to believers like us. The issue here is one of leading and surrender. Who will we choose to allow to be in the lead, our own earthly desires or the Spirit of God. We will only see victory and experience the fullness of our inheritance in Christ if we choose the way of the Spirit of God.
If we will choose to yield ourselves wholly to the wooing of the Spirit, in the grace of our Lord… we will not come under condemnation but walk in freedom.
1Therefore there is now no condemnation
for those who are in Christ Jesus.
2For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus
has set you free from the law of sin and of death.
3For what the Law could not do,
weak as it was through the flesh,
God did: sending His own Son
in the likeness of sinful flesh and as an offering for sin,
He condemned sin in the flesh,
4so that the requirement of the Law might be fulfilled in us,
who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.
5For those who are according to the flesh set their minds
on the things of the flesh, but those who are according to the Spirit,
the things of the Spirit.
Romans 8:1-5 NASB
Walking in the freedom of the Lord is a choice we must make each day. When we are diligent to do so we will not experience any condemnation because the very nature of Jesus Christ in us will set us free from the old law of sin and death. Jesus proclaims that yes, we will have tribulation in this world; but we should rejoice in that he has come to assure us victory over every area of sin, bondage and sickness.
“These things I have spoken to you,
so that in Me you may have peace
In the world you have tribulation,
but take courage; I have overcome the world."
John 16:33 NASB
What follows in Galatians is a sobering admonition
about the signs of back-sliding believers.
19Now the deeds of the flesh are evident,
which are: immorality, impurity, sensuality,
20idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy,
outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions,
21envying, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these,
of which I forewarn you, just as I have forewarned you,
that those who practice such things
will not inherit the kingdom of God.
Galatians 5:19-21 NASB
[19] Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, (KJV)
Now the works of the flesh — By which that inward principle is discovered.
are manifest — Plain and undeniable.
The works are mentioned in the plural because they are distinct from,
and often inconsistent with, each other.
But "the fruit of the Spirit" is mentioned in the singular, Galatians 5:22, as being all consistent and connected together.
— He enumerates those "works of the flesh" to which the Galatians were most inclined; and those parts of "the fruit of the Spirit" of which they stood in the greatest need. We also are so inclined, and equally in need of the work and fruits of the Holy Spirit.
Some of the terms used here are self evident while others could use a little expanding on if we are to understand what these Scriptures are requiring of us.
Lasciviousness — The Greek word means anything inward or outward that is contrary to chastity.
It also means: bender. binge, blowout, bust, carousal, depravity, dissipation, drunkenness, excess, fornication, incontinence, indulgence, intemperance, lustful intimacy, lechery, lewdness, lust, orgy, overindulgence, revelry, seduction, fast living, gluttony, sensuality, or living life in the “fast lane.”
To the contrary, walking in the Spirit is characterized by benevolence (love), giving, unselfishness and mercifulness.
[20] Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, (KJV)
Idolatry, witchcraft — That this means witchcraft, strictly speaking, it appears from its being joined with the worship of devil-gods, and not necessarily with murder. This is frequently and solemnly forbidden in the Old Testament. To deny therefore that there is, or ever was, any such thing, is, by plain consequence, to deny the authority both of the Old and New Testament.
Heresies are divisions in religious communities.
Emulations are: unnatural appitite, ardor, jealous aspirations, cravings, lustful drives, hunger, longing, sensual love or lust.
Life in the Spirit to the contrary leads to: contentment, humility, satisfaction and peace.
[21] Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.
Revellings — means to indulge in luxurious entertainments, to bask, carouse, carry-on, cut loose, fool around, frolick, gloat, indulge, relish, to blow off steam, savor, wallow in , kick up ones heel. The type of behavior engaged in by the first prodical son who took and squandered his father’s inheritance.
Some of the works here mentioned are wrought principally, if not entirely, in the mind; and yet they are called "works of the flesh." This makes it is clear, the apostle does not by "the flesh" mean just the body, or sensual appetites and inclinations only, but the corruption of human nature, as it spreads through all the powers of the soul, (the mind, will and emotions) as well as all the physical members of the body.
Of which I tell you before — Before the event, I forewarn you.
When we examine such Scriptures closely we begin to feel the weight of the requirements for walking in the kingdom of God.
First John 2:6 states clearly that “Whoever claims to live in Him must walk as Jesus did.”
Jesus walked in object purity! And he did so as a man in the flesh, to demonstrate to us that it is possible for us to do the same. To walk such a life we must walk in the Spirit as Jesus did. He overcame every obsticle and performed every miracle as a man being lead by the Spirit to complete His Father’s will. We are called to walk in the fullness of His stature.
“ …until we all attain to the unity of the faith,
and of the knowledge of the Son of God,
to a mature man,
to the measure of the stature
which belongs to the fullness of Christ.”
Ephesians 4:13 NASB
Jesus calls us still saying:
“Therefore you are to be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.”
Matthew 5:48 NASB
“Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children”
Ephesians 5:1 NASB
because it is written, "YOU SHALL BE HOLY, FOR I AM HOLY."
1 Peter 1:16 NASB (Quoting Leviticus: 11:44; 19:2; 20:7)
Jesus overcame temptation, and became the spotless Lamb of God, so that we could do the same. He proclaimed that it was better for us that He returned to the Father so that the Holy Spirit would come and lead us to all truth and victory.
The pattern of the carnal flesh is struggle – defeat – struggle – defeat… an endless cycle of bitter failure and depression. The pattern of a life in Jesus Christ, being lead of the Holy Spirit is grace to grace, holiness to holiness, victory to victory in the face of any and all opposition.
30
fkj
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