August 28, 2002
A THING OF THE PAST? < For WHEN we were in the flesh >. When, is certainly past tense. This should make the works of the flesh to be an item of history. Something that no longer exists. WHEN we were in the flesh we were dominated by sin and its passions, which can only lead to spiritual death and ultimately natural death. Rom. 7:5 For WE WERE, again a statement referring to that which was at one time, or the past. This is followed by a listing of those things that were once practiced. NOW, and this is where we are to live as those born of the Spirit. We have been born of the Spirit, washed by virtue of rebirth and renewed to be in Christ, by the Spirit of the Lord. Titus 3:3-5 IN TIMES PAST, our manner of life followed the ways of this world. Even being dominated by the ruler of the air, the powers of darkness. The spirit of wickedness that works in all who are walking contrary to the will of the Lord. At < ONE TIME > our lives and our conduct was seeking to gratify the longings and lusts of the soul. That is the way of death, dead in trespasses and sin. BUT, we met Christ and have been awakened to life, life in its fullness now, and life eternal with Him. All because of His mercy and love. Eph. 2:3-5
BUT NOW, WE ARE TO BE FREE FROM SIN. Where once we were the servants of sin, overwhelmed and over powered and dominated by its force. We have been set free to become servants of the Most High God. To love and worship Him with our whole man, spirit, soul and body. Dedicated and sold out to Him. Now, bringing forth fruit of holiness which has its reward unto life everlasting. Rom. 6:22 Now, we present our bodies a living sacrifice to the Lord. Where once we served sin, our purpose today is to serve the Lord in righteousness. A child of God will not be in subjection or ruled by sin. We are not required to submit to the law but are led and nourished by the grace of God, which causes us to conqueror sin and iniquity. Rom. 6:13-14
NOW, NO CONDEMNATION. What a glorious and wonderful difference Christ makes in the human heart. Condemnation, guilt, accusation, what a burden to bear. What anguish of heart, soul and spirit. All needlessly borne. For Christ will lift the condemnation and bring sweet release and freedom. To those who will consecrate themselves to live and walk in the Spirit there is constant liberty. But to those who walk in the lusts and workings of the flesh, there can be nothing but condemnation. Rom. 8:1 As always, it is the Word that accomplishes the release and freedom that is in Christ Jesus. Hearing and believing are the elements of faith that work in us to bring forth that life that is Christ. We know, that where there is no condemnation, our sins have been pardoned and we stand before the Lord in absolute freedom. We have passed from death to eternal life in the Lord Jesus Christ. What a privilege to be enabled to walk in the Spirit of the living God and be acknowledged as one of His very own. John 5:24.:END: