Daily Bread - MAR/10/07
Romans 7:25 - "(I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord). So then I myself serve the law of God with my mind and the law of sin with my flesh."
Paul's message in Romans chapter 7 is one that describes the absolute inability of the law to bring anyone into the glorious liberty of the sons of God. He drives home the fact that those who trust in the law are under the bondage of sin and are powerless to overcome it. He proves that although God's law describes God's righteousness, no observer of the law through the works of the law was able to walk in the glory of God's commandments.
In fact, where can anyone find in the New Testament the idea that God requires His saints to serve the Law? Furthermore, where in the New Testament can anyone find any supporting scriptures that the people of God are to serve God with their minds (Gr.- nous)? The answer is, nowhere! And in reality if we heard anyone even begin to teach such a thing we would all rise up and say, heresy!
The New Testament communicates a very different Gospel message than this. Our minds are to be submitted to the mind of Christ and governed by the Holy Spirit (Romans 8:27; 12:2; 1 Corinthians 2:16; Ephesians 4:23; Philippians 2:5; 4:7; Hebrews 8:10, 10:16; 1 Peter 4:1). The natural mind of man is the enemy of God and cannot be subject to Him (Romans 8:6-7; Ephesians 2:3).
When we look at the opening statements of Romans chapter 7, we discover that Paul is continuing his argument as to why no one should in any way trust in the Law in an attempt to please God (Romans 7:1, 4, 6). He makes it very clear that the saints are not under the Law nor bound by the power of sin before he sets out to describe the spiritual condition of those who trust in the Law (Romans 7:4-6). We must understand that the statement, "I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord" is simply a parenthetical statement. Paul makes this statement as he pauses for a moment in describing this desperate circumstance which he and all other observers of the law found themselves in. Through Christ Jesus, every yoke of that sin has been broken, and as those who are a new creation in Christ Jesus, we serve God with a new heart and rely upon the Holy Spirit for the divine ability to do all that pleases the Father (Romans 6:4, 6-7, 12, 14, 17-18; 8:2, 4, 9, 14-16, 26-27, 29, 31).
Be blessed,
Pastor Mark Spitsbergen
abidingplace.org
Saturday, March 10, 2007
Friday, March 09, 2007
Daily Bread - MAR/09/07
1 John 3:11 - "Because this is the message that you have heard from the beginning, that you should love one another."
This unchanging message of God to man is one that calls all men to the realm of God's love. This is the message that is behind every message in the Bible. God is love, and if we are going to know Him and walk with Him then we must be willing to be obedient to His love (Romans 13:8, 10; Matthew 22:40).
The message of God's love was delivered to us in its greatest form when Jesus suffered and died for us. John uses this same word when he describes to us that God is Light and in Him is no darkness at all (1 John 1:5). There should be no greater desire in man than to know this kind of love and this kind of light. How safe our souls should feel that the God of the Universe is so disposed to the nature of unchanging love (1 John 4:7-8; Hebrews 13:8; James 1:17).
If you know God then you will learn to walk in His love and in His Light. First of all to be loved by Him and then to learn to love Him in return. If you are willing to walk in God's love then most of the decisions that you will face in your interaction with others are already defined; you will love them just as God loves them.
Blessings,
Pastor Mark Spitsbergen
abidingplace.org
1 John 3:11 - "Because this is the message that you have heard from the beginning, that you should love one another."
This unchanging message of God to man is one that calls all men to the realm of God's love. This is the message that is behind every message in the Bible. God is love, and if we are going to know Him and walk with Him then we must be willing to be obedient to His love (Romans 13:8, 10; Matthew 22:40).
The message of God's love was delivered to us in its greatest form when Jesus suffered and died for us. John uses this same word when he describes to us that God is Light and in Him is no darkness at all (1 John 1:5). There should be no greater desire in man than to know this kind of love and this kind of light. How safe our souls should feel that the God of the Universe is so disposed to the nature of unchanging love (1 John 4:7-8; Hebrews 13:8; James 1:17).
If you know God then you will learn to walk in His love and in His Light. First of all to be loved by Him and then to learn to love Him in return. If you are willing to walk in God's love then most of the decisions that you will face in your interaction with others are already defined; you will love them just as God loves them.
Blessings,
Pastor Mark Spitsbergen
abidingplace.org
Thursday, March 08, 2007
Daily Bread - MAR/08/07
1 John 3:4 - "Everyone who acts sinfully also does iniquity, for sin is the iniquity."
The word "anomia" may be translated, "without law, lawlessness, transgression of the law, iniquity." In the Septuagint we read "Happy are they whose iniquities (anomia) were forgiven and whose sins (harmatia) were covered," Psalms 32:1. And in the New Testament in Matthew 13:41, "The Son of man shall send out his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that cause to stumble (scandalon), and them which do iniquity (anomia)."
It is translated by the Hebrew word "beleeaal" or "belial" in Psalms 18:4 KJV/18:5 BHS/17:5 LXX. Although, "belial" means "worthlessness, ungodly or wicked men" it became a technical term for the devil in both the community of Qumran and in the New Testament. 2 Corinthians 6:14-15 says: "for what partnership has righteousness with iniquity (anomia)? and what fellowship has light with darkness? And what common has Christ with Belial?"
We are not the sons of belieal that we should walk in iniquity and sin (John 8:44; Ephesians 2:2; 1 John 3:8). We are the sons of God and are to in every way imitate our Father which is in Heaven (1 John 3:1-2, 7; John 1:12; Ephesians 5:1).
Blessings,
Pastor Mark Spitsbergen
abidingplace.org
1 John 3:4 - "Everyone who acts sinfully also does iniquity, for sin is the iniquity."
The word "anomia" may be translated, "without law, lawlessness, transgression of the law, iniquity." In the Septuagint we read "Happy are they whose iniquities (anomia) were forgiven and whose sins (harmatia) were covered," Psalms 32:1. And in the New Testament in Matthew 13:41, "The Son of man shall send out his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that cause to stumble (scandalon), and them which do iniquity (anomia)."
It is translated by the Hebrew word "beleeaal" or "belial" in Psalms 18:4 KJV/18:5 BHS/17:5 LXX. Although, "belial" means "worthlessness, ungodly or wicked men" it became a technical term for the devil in both the community of Qumran and in the New Testament. 2 Corinthians 6:14-15 says: "for what partnership has righteousness with iniquity (anomia)? and what fellowship has light with darkness? And what common has Christ with Belial?"
We are not the sons of belieal that we should walk in iniquity and sin (John 8:44; Ephesians 2:2; 1 John 3:8). We are the sons of God and are to in every way imitate our Father which is in Heaven (1 John 3:1-2, 7; John 1:12; Ephesians 5:1).
Blessings,
Pastor Mark Spitsbergen
abidingplace.org
Wednesday, March 07, 2007
Daily Bread - MAR/07/07
1 John 2:19 - "They went out from us but they were not of us. If they had been of us they would have remained with us. Nevertheless it is revealed that none of them are of us."
Betrayal and broken fellowship is the hallmark of rejecting Jesus. Judas was, of course, the model of this broken trust. One of the primary themes of the first Epistle of John is the love of the brethren and the fellowship that results. John takes the position early on in this Epistle that redemption and fellowship are equally the results of fellowship with God, "If we walk in the light as He is in the light then we have fellowship one with another and the blood of Jesus Christ, His Son, cleanses us from all sin" (1 John 1:7).
The fellowship that we have with the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit is equated to the fellowship that we have with those who are begotten of God (1 John 3:17; 4:12, 20; 5:2). If an individual does not have fellowship with God then he cannot have fellowship with those who are begotten of God, and, conversely, if there is no fellowship with the brethren, there is no fellowship with God. The Epistle of 1 John provides the proofs of fellowship to distinguish between those who are of God and those who are deceivers. The chief characteristic that John gives of those who have been born of God is the love one for another. Beloved, let us love one another (1 John 4:7-8; John 13:35).
Blessings,
Pastor Mark Spitsbergen
abidingplace.org
1 John 2:19 - "They went out from us but they were not of us. If they had been of us they would have remained with us. Nevertheless it is revealed that none of them are of us."
Betrayal and broken fellowship is the hallmark of rejecting Jesus. Judas was, of course, the model of this broken trust. One of the primary themes of the first Epistle of John is the love of the brethren and the fellowship that results. John takes the position early on in this Epistle that redemption and fellowship are equally the results of fellowship with God, "If we walk in the light as He is in the light then we have fellowship one with another and the blood of Jesus Christ, His Son, cleanses us from all sin" (1 John 1:7).
The fellowship that we have with the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit is equated to the fellowship that we have with those who are begotten of God (1 John 3:17; 4:12, 20; 5:2). If an individual does not have fellowship with God then he cannot have fellowship with those who are begotten of God, and, conversely, if there is no fellowship with the brethren, there is no fellowship with God. The Epistle of 1 John provides the proofs of fellowship to distinguish between those who are of God and those who are deceivers. The chief characteristic that John gives of those who have been born of God is the love one for another. Beloved, let us love one another (1 John 4:7-8; John 13:35).
Blessings,
Pastor Mark Spitsbergen
abidingplace.org
Tuesday, March 06, 2007
Daily Bread - MAR/06/07
1 John 2:16 - "Because all that is in the world: the desire of the flesh and the desire of the eyes and the pride of life is not of the Father but is of the world."
The phrase used here is "he epithymai tes sarkos" (the desire of the flesh) is one of the identifiers of those who are not born of God (of the Father). The desire of the flesh is opposite to the desire of the Spirit as the love of the Father is opposite to the love of the world. The love of the Father teaches us to "deny ungodliness and worldly desires and to live righteously, godly, and soberly in this present world" Titus 2:12. The word "epithymai" means "desire, wish," and it is used in both a good and bad sense. In Philippians 1:23, Paul says, "My desire is to be with Christ." On the other hand, it is used in a bad sense in John 8:44, "The Devil is your father and you carry out the desires of your father."
There are two approaches to understanding the "desires of the flesh," either in the Greek sense or the Hebrew. The Hebrew concept of the "sarx" (flesh) includes all of man's weaknesses - not just sensual or carnal but the realm of the purely human without divine help. This is still witnessed in the New Testament where the "sarx" may be regarded as human knowledge (flesh and blood) distinct from divine revelation (Matthew 16:17; Galatians 1:16; John 8:15). Paul also regards the flesh as the power of sin that is opposed to the Spirit of God, a power that is removed by the circumcision of Christ (Romans 7:5; Colossians 2:11).
The Greeks exclusively use "sarx" to refer to eating, drinking, and illicit sexual relations. They would regard "sarx" as that which is sensual and carnal and opposed to anything spiritual or pious. Now when we find flesh in the Bible, it would be incorrect to jump to a conclusion that every usage of "flesh" refers only to those things that are evil; for Christ Jesus was manifested in the flesh and suffered in the flesh. However, when we focus in on the phrase "desire of the flesh" we find an exclusive application to that which is opposite of the Spirit of God and contrary to the will of the Father. "Put on Christ and make no provision for the 'desires of the flesh' ;" "Walk in the Spirit and you shall not fulfill the desires of the flesh;" "Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires," Romans 13:14; Galatians 5:16-17, 24.
In the New Testament, a clear distinction is made between those of the Spirit and those of the flesh. Yet, at the same time, we know that Jesus became flesh and lived after the Spirit. Still the fact remains that the distinction between the flesh and the Spirit can be as radical as that of Light and darkness or simply a contrast between human ability and divine ability (Galatians 4:22-29). However, there is one thing that we can be certain of: God makes it essential that all men are born of the Spirit and live after the Spirit, (John 3:6; Romans 8:9; 1 Peter 4:1). Now through the Grace of God that has brought to us this radical transformation of nature, we are "not in the flesh, but in the Spirit" (Romans 8:9). Therefore, let's yield to the Holy Spirit today and let Him lead us and guide us in every desire of our lives.
Blessings,
Pastor Mark Spitsbergen
abidingplace.org
1 John 2:16 - "Because all that is in the world: the desire of the flesh and the desire of the eyes and the pride of life is not of the Father but is of the world."
The phrase used here is "he epithymai tes sarkos" (the desire of the flesh) is one of the identifiers of those who are not born of God (of the Father). The desire of the flesh is opposite to the desire of the Spirit as the love of the Father is opposite to the love of the world. The love of the Father teaches us to "deny ungodliness and worldly desires and to live righteously, godly, and soberly in this present world" Titus 2:12. The word "epithymai" means "desire, wish," and it is used in both a good and bad sense. In Philippians 1:23, Paul says, "My desire is to be with Christ." On the other hand, it is used in a bad sense in John 8:44, "The Devil is your father and you carry out the desires of your father."
There are two approaches to understanding the "desires of the flesh," either in the Greek sense or the Hebrew. The Hebrew concept of the "sarx" (flesh) includes all of man's weaknesses - not just sensual or carnal but the realm of the purely human without divine help. This is still witnessed in the New Testament where the "sarx" may be regarded as human knowledge (flesh and blood) distinct from divine revelation (Matthew 16:17; Galatians 1:16; John 8:15). Paul also regards the flesh as the power of sin that is opposed to the Spirit of God, a power that is removed by the circumcision of Christ (Romans 7:5; Colossians 2:11).
The Greeks exclusively use "sarx" to refer to eating, drinking, and illicit sexual relations. They would regard "sarx" as that which is sensual and carnal and opposed to anything spiritual or pious. Now when we find flesh in the Bible, it would be incorrect to jump to a conclusion that every usage of "flesh" refers only to those things that are evil; for Christ Jesus was manifested in the flesh and suffered in the flesh. However, when we focus in on the phrase "desire of the flesh" we find an exclusive application to that which is opposite of the Spirit of God and contrary to the will of the Father. "Put on Christ and make no provision for the 'desires of the flesh' ;" "Walk in the Spirit and you shall not fulfill the desires of the flesh;" "Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires," Romans 13:14; Galatians 5:16-17, 24.
In the New Testament, a clear distinction is made between those of the Spirit and those of the flesh. Yet, at the same time, we know that Jesus became flesh and lived after the Spirit. Still the fact remains that the distinction between the flesh and the Spirit can be as radical as that of Light and darkness or simply a contrast between human ability and divine ability (Galatians 4:22-29). However, there is one thing that we can be certain of: God makes it essential that all men are born of the Spirit and live after the Spirit, (John 3:6; Romans 8:9; 1 Peter 4:1). Now through the Grace of God that has brought to us this radical transformation of nature, we are "not in the flesh, but in the Spirit" (Romans 8:9). Therefore, let's yield to the Holy Spirit today and let Him lead us and guide us in every desire of our lives.
Blessings,
Pastor Mark Spitsbergen
abidingplace.org
Monday, March 05, 2007
Daily Bread - MAR/05/07
1 John 4:11 - "Beloved if God so loved us we ought to love one another."
The kind of love that Father demands that we have for one another is the same love that was extended to us when Jesus died for our sins on the cross. True love is God's love, and His love has been given to us by the Holy Spirit. We have been given the privilege of not only being beneficiaries of His love but we are also empowered to reveal His love. There is no greater command! There is no greater proof of salvation! (John 13:34-35; 15:12; Colossians 3:14; 1 Thessalonians 4:9; 1 Peter 4:8; 1 John 3:11, 23; Jude 21) The most important thing to God is that we walk in His love. There is no justifiable reason to ever stop loving the people of God even to the point of laying our lives down for them. God has called us to be those who obey Him and follow Him by walking in the same kind of love that He Himself has (Ephesians 5:1-2).
Walk in love,
Pastor Mark Spitsbergen
abidingplace.org
1 John 4:11 - "Beloved if God so loved us we ought to love one another."
The kind of love that Father demands that we have for one another is the same love that was extended to us when Jesus died for our sins on the cross. True love is God's love, and His love has been given to us by the Holy Spirit. We have been given the privilege of not only being beneficiaries of His love but we are also empowered to reveal His love. There is no greater command! There is no greater proof of salvation! (John 13:34-35; 15:12; Colossians 3:14; 1 Thessalonians 4:9; 1 Peter 4:8; 1 John 3:11, 23; Jude 21) The most important thing to God is that we walk in His love. There is no justifiable reason to ever stop loving the people of God even to the point of laying our lives down for them. God has called us to be those who obey Him and follow Him by walking in the same kind of love that He Himself has (Ephesians 5:1-2).
Walk in love,
Pastor Mark Spitsbergen
abidingplace.org
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