Today’s selected reading continues in the New Testament epistle written by the apostle Paul unto then saints which were at Rome. More specifically, today’s passages is found in the fifteenth chapter of this New Testament book. “We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves. Let every one of us please his neighbour for his good to edification. For even Christ pleased not himself; but, as it is written, The reproaches of them that reproached thee fell on me. For whatsoever things we’re written aforetime were written for our learning, that we though patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope. Now the God of patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope. Now the God of patience and consolation grant you to be likeminded one toward another according to Christ Jesus: that ye may with one mind and one mouth glorify God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Wherefore receive ye one another, as Christ also received us to the glory of God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Wherefore receive ye one another, as Christ also received us to the glory of God. Now I say that Jesus Christ was a minister of the circumcision for the truth of God, to confirm that promises made unto the fathers: and that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy: as it is written, For this cause I will confess to thee among the Gentiles, and sing unto thy name. And again he saith, Rejoice, ye Gentiles, with his people. And again, Prasie the Lord, all ye Gentiles; and laud him, all ye people. And again, Esaias saith, There shall be a root of Jesse, and he that shall rise to reign over the Gentiles; in him shall the Gentiles trust. Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing , that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost” (Romans 15:1-13).

 

            “And I smelt also am persuaded of you, my brethren, that ye also are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge, able also to admonish one another. Nevertheless, brethren, I have written the more boldly unto you in some sort, as putting you in mind, because of the grace that is given to me of God, that I should be the minister of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles ministering the gospel of God, that the offering up of the Gentiles might be acceptable, being sanctified by the Holy Ghost. I have therefore whereof I may glory through Jesus Christ in those things which pertain to God. For I will not dare to speak of any of those things which Christ hath not wrought by me, to make the Gentiles obedient, by word and deed, through mighty signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God; so that from Jerusalem, and round about unto Illyricum, I have fully preached the gospel of Christ. Yea, so have I strive to preach the gospel, not where Christ was named, lest I should build upon another man’s foundation: but as II is written, To whom he was not spoken of, they shall see: and they hat have not heard shall understand. For which cause also I have been much hindered from coming to you. But now having no more place in these parts, and having a great desire these many years to come to you: for I trust to see you in my journey, and to be brought on my way thitherward by you, if first I be somewhat filled with your company. But now I go unto Jerusalem to minister unto the saints. For it hath pleased them of Macedonia and Achaia to make a certain contribution for the poor saints which are at Jerusalem. It hath pleased them verily; and their debtors they are. For if the Gentiles have been made partakers of their spiritual things, their duty is also to minister unto them in carnal things. When therefore I have performed this, and have sealed to them this fruit, I will come by you into Spain. And I am sure that, when I come unto you, I shall come in the fullness of the blessing of the gospel of Christ. Now I beseech you, brethren, for the Lord Jesus Christ’s sake, and for the love of the Spirit, that ye strive together with me in your prayers to God for me; that I may be delivered from them that do not believe in Judaea; and that my service which I have for Jerusalem may be accepted of the saints; that I may come unto you with joy by the will of God, and may with you be refreshed. Now the God of peace by with you all. Amen” (Romans 15:14-32).

 

            When you come to the fifteenth chapter of the New Testament epistle written by the apostle Paul unto the saints which were at Rome you will find a powerful source of exhortation given unto these dear saints. In all reality if you read the words which are found in the final chapters of this epistle—chapters twelve through sixteen—you will find the apostle Paul shifting gears within the epistle from the words and language which is found in the first eight chapters. If you take the time to read the words which are found in this epistle you will find that the first eight chapters of the epistle deal exclusively and specifically with our relationship to the living and eternal God. Within these chapters the apostle Paul sought to demonstrate that we have all sinned and have fallen short of the glory of the living God. The apostle Paul concluded all men as having sinned and that sin has caused men to be at odds and at enmity towards and against the living God. The apostle Paul explained that the wages of sin were indeed death and as a direct result of this have called each and every one of the saints of God to recognize and understand their tremendous and inherent need for salvation, for justification and for sanctification which is produced by the person and presence of the Holy Spirit within our lives who appropriates the work which our Lord Jesus performed and completed upon the cross at Calvary more than two thousand years ago. This is something we must needs recognize and understand for it calls and draws our attention to the absolutely wonderful truth that while sin is indeed a universal struggle and conflict which we all face and have faced there is indeed hope within our hearts and lives to be completely and utterly delivered from the power of sin within our hearts, within our minds and within our lives.

 

            As you continue reading the words which are found within this epistle you will encounter the tremendous and undeniable truth that not only have we all sinned and fallen short of the glory of the living God but we were all born with a propensity and natural bend toward sin and rebellion before and in the sight of the living and eternal God. In all reality I can’t help but be reminded of the words which the apostle John wrote in the first chapter of the first epistle which he wrote unto the saints which were at Ephesus. Beginning with the sixth verse of the first of the first chapter of this first epistle the apostle John would write the following words: “If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. IF we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us” (1 John 1:6-10). The apostle John makes it perfectly clear that if we say we have fellowship with the eternal and only begotten Son of the living God and yet walk in darkness we lie and do not the truth. Moreover the apostle John also goes on to write that if we walk in the light as he is in the light we have fellowship one with another and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanses us from all sin. The apostle John also goes on to describe and declare that if we say that we have no sin we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. However, if we do indeed sin against the eternal and living God—if we confess our sins He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. Furthermore the apostle John goes on to declare that if we say that we have not sinned we make Him [Christ] a liar and His word is not in us.

 

            There is a great need to recognize and pay close attention to the words which are found within this passage of Scripture for within it we are brought face to face with the tremendous truth that if we say we have fellowship with Christ and yet walk in darkness we lie and do not the truth. The apostle John also goes on to write that if we say we have no sin we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. Not only this but if we say that we have not sinned we make him a liar and his word is not in us. This is incredibly important for us to recognize and understand for it calls and draws our attention to the absolutely wonderful truth surrounding the fact that as the apostle Paul emphatically declared we have all sinned and fallen short of the glory of the living God. What’s more is that if you read the words which the apostle Paul wrote in the first eight chapters of the epistle written unto the saints which were at Rome you will find him emphatically declaring and concluding all men as being born unto and born into sin. This is something we must needs recognize and understand for it brings us face to face with the powerful truth that we have indeed and have in fact been born into sin and have been born with the sinful and carnal nature within us. There is absolutely no individual alive on this planet who has been born without the sin nature buried deep within their psyche and within their hearts and souls and minds. Absolutely everyone who has been born into this world from the time of Cain and Abel have indeed been born with the sinful nature within their hearts and souls and even Cain himself acted upon the impulses of this sinful nature when he murdered Abel after his sacrifice was rejected by the living God but Abel’s was received and accepted.

 

            If you read the first eight chapters of the New Testament epistle written by the apostle Paul unto the saints which were at Rome you will find him concluding all men as being under sin. What’s more is that as early as the first and opening chapter of this epistle you can and will be brought face to face with the fact that the wrath of God has indeed and has in fact been revealed from heaven against all ungodliness, against all unrighteousness and against all wickedness. This is something we dare not and must not miss and lose sight of for when reading the first eight chapters of this epistle the apostle Paul contrasted our propensity and bend toward sin and sinning against the eternal and living God and our need for a Savior. The apostle Paul emphatically declared that the Law was weak in that it could not accomplish that which was desperately needed within our hearts and lives. There was a great need for salvation and for a Savior for the Law could not accomplish that which it was intended on doing. In fact the apostle Paul emphatically declared that the Law was weak through the flesh and yet Christ being the eternal and only begotten Son of the living God accomplished that which the law could never do. It is with this in mind I Invite you to consider the following words which are found in the first eight chapters of the epistle written by the apostle Paul as he powerfully and clearly articulates that we have all indeed sinned and fallen short of the glory of the living God. The apostle Paul clearly declared that we have all sinned and come short of the glory of the living God and that we all wrestle and struggle with the conflict which exists between our flesh and the Spirit of the living God which is present within us. Having said this I invite you to consider the following words which are found in the first eighth chapters of this epistle beginning with the eighteenth verse of the first chapter:

 

            “For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations and their foolish heart was darkened. Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, and changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and four footed beasts, and creeping things. Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves: who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen” (Romans 1:18-25).

 

 

            “For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature: and likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receive in themselves that recompense of their error which was meet. And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient; being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit,  malignity; whisperers, backbiters, haters of God, despitefully, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, without understanding, covenant breakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful: who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them” (Romans 1:26-32).

 

            “Therefore thou art inexcusable, O man, whosoever thou art that judgest: for wherein thou judgest another, thou condemnest thyself; for thou that judgest doest the same things. But we are sure that the judgment of God is according to truth against them which commit such things. And thinkest thou this, O man, that judgest them which do such things, and doest the same, that thou shalt escape the judgment of God? OR despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance? But after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest up unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God; who will render to every man according to his deeds: to them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honour and immortality, eternal life: but unto them that are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, indignation and wrath, tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man that doeth evil, of the Jew first, and also of the Gentile; but glory, honour, and peace, to every man that worketh good, to the Jew first, and also to the Gentile: for there is no respect of persons with God. For as many as have sinned without law shall also perish without law: and as many as have sinned in the law shall be judged by the law; (For not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified. For when the Gentiles, which have not the law, do by nature the things contained in the law, these, having not the law, are a law unto themselves: whew shew the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another;) in the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to my gospel” (Romans 2:1-16).

 

            “What then? Are we better than they? No, in no wise: for we have been proved both jews and Gentiles, that they are all under sin; As it is written, There is none righteous, no not one: there is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God. They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no not one. Their throat is an open sepulchre; with their tongues they have used deceit; the poison of asps is under their lips: whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness: their feet are swift to shed blood: destruction and misery are in their ways: and the way of peace have they not knowing: there is no fear of God before their eyes. Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God. Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin” (Romans 3:9-20).

 

            “But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets; even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference: for all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his b lord to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God; to declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus. Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? Of works? Nay: but by the law of faith. Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law. Is he the God of the Jews only? Is he not also of the Gentiles? Yes, of the Gentiles also: seeing it is one God, which shall justify the circumcision by faith, and uncircumcision through faith. Do we then make void the law through faith? God forbid: yea, we establish the law” (Romans 3:21-31).

 

            “Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into t he world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned: (For until the law sin was in the world: but sin is not imputed when there is no law. Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over them that had not sinned after the similitude of Adam’s transgression, who is the figure of him that was to come. But not as the offense, so also is the free gift. For if through the offense of one many be dead, much more the grace of God, and the gift by grace, which is by one man, Jesus Christ hath abounded unto many. And not as it was by one that sinned, so is the gift: for the judgment was b y one to condemnation, but the free gift is of many offenses unto justification. For if by one man’s offense death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.) Therefore as by the offense of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life. For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous. Moreover the law entered, that the offense might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound: that as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might  grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord” (Romans 5:12-21).

 

            There is a great need for us to recognize and understand the words which are found in each of these passages of Scripture for they bring us face to face with the tremendous need that we have all sinned and have come short of the glory of God. The apostle Paul clearly demonstrated that sin entered into the world through one man—the first Adam—and that sin and death reigned in the earth from Adam until the time of Moses when the Law was given. When the law was given there was now a more sure standard whereby we were to walk in obedience before and in the sight of the living God. I have previously written how the Law can best be summarized into two major commandments which Jesus, the disciples, the scribes, the Pharisees, the teachers of the Law and the religious and Jewish community would have understood. The first set of the Ten Commandments can best be understood in terms of our relationship to and with the eternal and living God while the second half of the Ten Commandments can best be understood as touching our relationship to those before and all around us. Jesus and those who were present during His generation understood that the single greatest commandment was to love the LORD our God with all our heart, with all our soul, with all our mind and with all our strength. Jesus and those who were present during that generation also understood that the second commandment was likened unto the first and that was the commandment to love our neighbor as ourselves. When the Law was given unto Moses atop the mountain in the wilderness sin would take on an entirely new and different level for it would indeed bring us face to face with the holiness, the righteousness and the glory of the living God.

 

            I am sitting here today thinking about and considering the words which are found in the first eight chapters of the New Testament epistle written by the apostle Paul unto the saints which were at Rome and I am brought face to face with the wonderful truth that we have indeed and have in fact been born and conceived into sin. Even David the psalmist, the warrior, the poet and the king of Israel recognized and understood that we were conceived in iniquity and that we were shaped in the bondage of sin and transgression within our lives. This is something we dare not and must not miss and lose sight of for it calls and draws our attention to the absolutely wonderful truth that surrounds the need for salvation. Sin and death reigned in the world from the time of Adam until Moses and both would continue to reign in the world from the time of Moses until the time of Jesus when He would begin to demonstrate grace and truth. In fact it would be within the first chapter of the New Testament gospel narrative of the life and ministry of Jesus written by the apostle John we are brought face to face with the absolutely wonderful truth surrounding the Law coming through Moses but grace and truth coming by and through the person of the Lord Jesus. What’s more is that within this passage of Scripture we are indeed brought face to face with the absolutely wonderful truth surrounding the purpose for which Jesus was sent into and for which Jesus came into the world. Within the third chapter of the New Testament gospel narrative written by the apostle John we are indeed brought face to face with the absolutely wonderful truth concerning the manifestation of the Son of the living God which the apostle John would describe in the first epistle written unto the Ephesian saints as being to destroy the works of the devil. With this in mind I invite you to consider the following words which are found in the first and third chapters of the New Testament gospel narrative written by the apostle John concerning the life and ministry of the Lord Jesus Christ:

 

            “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life; and the life was the light of men. And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not. There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe. He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light. That was the truth Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world. He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not. He came unto his own, and his own received him not. But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth. John bare witness of him, and cried, saying This was he of whom I spake, He that cometh after me is preferred before me: for he was before me. And of his fullness have all we received, and grace for grace. For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ. No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father; he hath declared him” (John 1:1-18).

 

            “And no man hath ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, even the Son of man which is in heaven. And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life. For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God” (John 3:13-21).

 

           

We must needs recognize and understand the words which are found in these passages of Scripture for within them we are brought face to face with the incredible truth that the Law came through Moses but grace and truth came through Jesus the Christ and Lord. Moreover it would be Jesus Himself who would declare that God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. Not only this but Jesus would also go on to declare that God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world but that the world through Him might be saved. Jesus would declare that just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: that whosoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. SHOULD NOT PERISH BUT HAVE ETERNAL LIFE! SHOULD NOT PERISH, BUT HAVE EVERLASTING LIFE. THAT THE WORLD THROUGH HIM MIGHT BE SAVED. Oh there is a great need for us to recognize and pay close attention to this for it calls and draws our attention to the absolutely wonderful truth surrounding grace and truth which comes through Jesus the Christ. Sin and death reigned from the time of Adam until Moses and when the law was given unto Moses atop the mountain in the wilderness there was an entirely new standard that was given unto men. There in the midst of the wilderness the children of Israel were given the Law of Moses which were the commands and statutes of the living God. What we must needs recognize concerning this is that it was entirely and altogether impossible for the Law to truly make one clean before and within the sight of the living God. What’s more is that I can’t help but think about how many times the children of Israel came unto the Tabernacle and Temple with their sacrifices with them because they had sinned against the living and eternal God. How many times did the children of Israel ascend unto the Tabernacle and Temple because they had sinned against the eternal and living God and they brought their sin offerings while they waited for the Day of Atonement—that one day during the year when the high priest would enter into the Holy of Holies with the blood of the Lamb to make atonement for the people?

 

The more you read the words which are found in the New Testament epistle written by the apostle Paul unto the saints which were at Rome the more I am brought face to face with the tremendous truth that all men have indeed sinned and come short of the glory of the living God. There is not a single man who has not been born into sin and without the carnal and sinful nature. There is not a single man or woman alive upon the face of the earth nor has there ever been a single man or woman who has been born into the earth without the conflict and struggle which exists between the carnal and sinful nature. This is something we must needs recognize and understand for it calls and draws our attention to the absolutely wonderful truth that while we must needs receive the free gift of God which is found in and made available through the person and sacrifice of the eternal and only begotten Son of the living God there is a responsibility which we have within our own hearts and lives. We dare not and must not miss and lose sight of this and how absolutely wonderful it truly is when we think about the words which the apostle Paul writes within this epistle for what we find within it is an incredibly powerful truth surrounding the need and responsibility we have as the saints of God and as the disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ to surrender and yield ourselves to the finished work of Jesus upon the cross. It is true that Jesus made sacrifice once and for all and that there is no need for Him to die anymore. Jesus did indeed and did in fact make sacrifice for our sins and for the sins of the world and this is something we dare not and must not miss and lose sight of for it calls and draws our attention to the absolutely wonderful truth surrounding the fact that we as the saints of God bear an incredible responsibility to the living and eternal God to crucify our flesh and to mortify our deeds. Consider if you will the following words which are found in this passage of Scripture beginning with the sixth chapter and continuing through to the eighth chapter:

 

“What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace m ay abound? God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein? Know ye not, that so man of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: t hat like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection: knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. For he that is dead is freed from sin. Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him: knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him. For in that he died, he died unto sin once: but in that he liveth, he liveth, he liveth unto God. Likewise reckon. Ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord. Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof. Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God. For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law but under grace” (Romans 6:1-14).

 

“What then? Shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid. Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness? But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you. Being then made free from sin, ye because the servants of righteousness. I speak after the manner of men because of the infinity of your flesh: for as ye have yielded your members servants to uncleanness and to iniquity unto iniquity; even so now yield your members servants to righteousness unto holiness. For when. Ye were the servants of sin, ye were free from righteousness. What fruit had ye then in those things whereof ye are now ashamed? For the end of those things is death. But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life. For the wages of sin is death: but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord” (Romans 6:15-23).

 

“What shall we say then? Is the law sin? God forbid. Nay, I had not known sin, but by the law: for I had not known lust, except the law had said, Thou shalt not covet. But sin, taking occasion by the commandment, wrought in me all manner of concupiscence. For without the law sin was dead. For I was alive without the law once: but when the commandment came, sin revived and I died. And the commandment, which was ordained to life, I found to be unto death. For sin, taking occasion by the commandment, deceived me, and by it slew me. Wherefore the law is holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good. Was then that which is good made death unto me? God forbid. But sin, that it might appear sin, working death in me by that which is good; that sin by the commandment might become exceeding sinful” (Romans 7:7-13).

 

“For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin. For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do i. If then I do that which I would not, I consent unto the law that it is good. Now then it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. For I know that in me, (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not. For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do. Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me. For I delight in the law of God. After the inward man: but I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members. O wretched man that I am! Who shall deliver me from the body of this death? I Thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin” (Romans 7:14-25).

 

“There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death. For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: that the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God. But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his. And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness. But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by His Spirit that dwelleth in you. Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh. For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live. For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: and if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together” (Romans 8:1-17).

 

I am absolutely convinced we must needs recognize and understand the significance of what is found within these verses for they call and draw our attention to the absolutely wonderful truth surrounding the need and responsibility that we ourselves have in the sight and presence of the living God. We as the saints of God do indeed and do in fact have a tremendous responsibility within ourselves to be such who commit ourselves to being those who do indeed and do in fact give ourselves fully and completely to putting to death the sinful members of our flesh. If we say we believe on Jesus and have indeed received Him within our lives then we must needs be such who do indeed and do in fact recognize that we must needs be like the apostle Paul who declared that He was crucified with Christ and nevertheless it was no longer he that lived but it was Christ who lived in Him. The apostle Paul would also go on to declare that the life which he lived in the flesh He lived by faith in the person of the Lord Jesus Christ. What’s more is if you read the words which the apostle Paul wrote in the third chapter of the epistle written unto the saints which were at Philippi you will find him recognizing and understanding that he had not already attained and that there was indeed a tremendous need for him to continue striving and pressing toward the mark of the prize of the high calling which was in Christ Jesus. Moreover the apostle Paul declare that he did not pursue a righteousness which was his own of the Law and by works but a righteousness which came by and through the faith of the Lord Jesus Christ. In fact I am absolutely convinced that we must needs recognize and understand the words which are found in the second chapter of the epistle written by the apostle Paul unto the churches which were in Galatia, the words which are found in the third chapter of the epistle written by the apostle Paul unto the saints which were at Ephesus, as well as the words which are found in the final verses of the eighth chapter and the opening verses of the twelfth chapter of the New Testament epistle written by the apostle Paul unto the saints of Rome.

 

 

If you want to truly understand the words which are found in the final chapters of the New Testament epistle written by the apostle Paul unto the saints which were at Rome there is a great need to recognize who we are in Christ in the sight and in the presence of the living God. There is a great need within us to truly acknowledge and come face to face with the absolutely awesome and wonderful truth surrounding the truth of who we are in the person of Jesus Christ for only to the degree and measure that we ourselves are able to truly understand our position and idenity in the person of the Lord Jesus Christ can we truly understand our relationship to those who are before and all around us. We as the saints of the eternal and living God must needs come face to face with this and how absolutely wonderful it truly is for it brings us face to face with the absolutely astounding truth that our relationship to others is intrinsically linked and directly bound to our relationship to and with the eternal and living God. We dare not, we cannot and must not miss and lose sight of this for there is a tremendous and inherent danger surrounding those who would indeed think and believe they can somehow live their lives in relation and respect to others apart from first learning how to live aright in the sight and presence of the living God. OH it is indeed true that there might be those who do not know Christ and who might be able to live in a certain degree and measure of harmony and peace with those which are present before and all around them in society, however, I am convinced that the only way to truly recognize and understand how we are to live our lives in respect and relation to those who are before and all around us is to first learn how to live in the sight and presence of—and not only in the sight and presence of but also in relation to the eternal and living God.

 

I am sitting here today thinking about all of this and I can’t help but be brought face to face with the absolutely wonderful truth surrounding our need to be those who allow ourselves to first learn how to live in relation and respect to the living God. Those who truly know how to live in right relationship and fellowship to and with the living God are those who can and will truly know how to live in relationship, community and fellowship together with those who are before and all around them. This is why I personally believe that the single greatest work of the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost was not the sound of the rushing mighty wind, was not the cloven tongues of fire resting upon the heads of those who were present in the upper room nor even speaking with other tongues. What’s more is I am convinced the greatest work and miracle on the day of Pentecost was not even the addition of three thousand souls unto those who were present in the upper room. I firmly believe that the single greatest miracle which took place on the day of Pentecost was indeed the work of the Spirit in bringing all of those souls into right fellowship and community with each other. If you read the words which are found in the final verses of the second chapter of the New Testament book of Acts you will find that the Holy Spirit not only brought all of these souls together but He also caused them to be of one accord and of one mind. This is something which we see over and over within the gospels—especially in the writings of the apostle Paul unto the churches. The more you read the words which are found in the epistles the more you can and will be brought to the place where you recognize that we have indeed and have in fact been called into fellowship and community with those whom the living and eternal God has indeed and has in fact brought us in alignment with.

 

The words which I find in the second half of the epistle written by the apostle Paul unto the saints which were at Rome are absolutely and incredible unique when you take the time to think about them for they bring us face to face with what living in community and fellowship together with those who are before and around us truly does in fact look like. The words which we find in the second half of the epistle written by the apostle Paul unto the saints which were at Rome call and draw us into the place where we recognize and understand that we have indeed and have in fact been called to be those who not only live in community, fellowship and communion with the living and eternal God and with the eternal Spirit and the only begotten Son but we have indeed been called into fellowship and community with the saints of the living God. It was Jesus Himself instructed and commanded us to love our neighbors—and not only love our neighbors but also to love our enemies. Jesus drew no distinction between loving our neighbors and loving our neighbors for we have indeed been called to live in community with both. Oh would it shock and surprise you to think about and consider the fact that we have indeed and have in fact been called to live in community and fellowship with our enemies as much as we have been called to live in fellowship and community with our neighbors? There would be those who would think that we have not been called to live in fellowship and community with those whom we might perceive as enemies in the physical and natural realm and yet the truth of the matter is that this simply is not the case.

 

Having said all of this I find it necessary to call and draw your attention to the words which are found in the second chapter of the epistle written by the apostle Paul unto the saints which were in Galatia, the words which are found in the third chapter of the epistle written unto the saints which were at Philippi as well as the words which are found in the eighth and twelfth chapters of the New Testament epistle written by the apostle Paul unto the saints which were at Rome. It is necessary to recognize and focus on the words which are found in these passages of Scripture for they call and draw our attention to the absolutely wonderful truth surrounding who we are in the person of the Lord Jesus Christ and how we have been called to live in fellowship, community and relationship with those who are before and around us. With this in mind I invite you to consider the following words which are found in the above mentioned passages of Scripture:

 

“Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified. But if, while we seek to be justified by Christ, we ourselves also are found sinners, is therefore Christ the minister of sin? God forbid. For if I build again the things which I destroyed, I make myself a transgressor. For I through the law am dead to the law, that I might live unto God. I am crucified with Christ: neverhtless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now life in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain” (Galatians 2:16-21).

 

“But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, and be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith: that I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death; if by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead. Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you. Nevertheless, where to we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us mind the same thing” (Philippians 3:7-16).

 

“And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. For whom he did foreknowledge, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover whom he did predestinate them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified. What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things? Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God’s elect? It is God that justifieth. Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 8:28-39).

 

“I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable and perfect will of God. For I say through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith. For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office: so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another. Having then gifts different according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith; or ministry, lest us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching; or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness” (Romans 12:1-8).

 

We must needs recognize and understand the words which are found in these passages of Scripture for not only do they bring us face to face with our idenity as the saints of God and disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ but they also bring us face to face with the undeniable reality that we are to present our bodies as living sacrifices holy and acceptable in the sight of the living God. The apostle Paul did indeed write unto the saints which were present in Rome that they were to present their bodies as living sacrifices holy and acceptable unto God which was their reasonable service [or spiritual act of worship]. The apostle Paul also instructed them to be not conformed to the world but to be transformed by the renewing of their mind that they might prove what is that good and acceptable will of God. The apostle Paul then goes on to describe how he through the grace given unto him admonished and encouraged them to not think of themselves more highly than they ought to think. Instead of thinking of oneself more than they ought to think they were to think soberly according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith. Thea pestle Paul then goes on to describe how there were many members in one body and all members have not the same office. This is something which we must needs recognize and understand for when we think of the spiritual body of the Lord Jesus Christ we must recognize that it is not made up of people who are the same as each other. When the spiritual body of Christ was indeed formed on the day of Pentecost it was not made up of all those souls were the same as each other but was indeed made up of many members who were different from each other—different gifts, different callings, different personalities, and so much more. What’s more is that when you think about the spiritual body of the Lord Jesus Christ you must needs recognize and understand that each and every person who is present within the body does indeed and does in fact have something to offer the body. There is not a single person who is a part of the body of Christ who does not have something to offer the body nor unto the living and eternal and living God.

 

            It is with this in mind I find it absolutely necessary to call and draw your attention to the words which are found in the final chapters of the New Testament epistle written by the apostle Paul unto the saints which were at Rome. Within these final chapters the apostle Paul taught and exhorted the saints which were at Rome to be such who learned how to live in community and fellowship together with those who were around them. It made no difference whether it was those in government and those who were in positions of leadership, or one’s neighbor, or even one’s enemy for the apostle Paul instructed and exhorted them to learn how to live in community and fellowship together with those who are part of the spiritual body of Christ as well as those who are not a part of the body. The apostle Paul exhorted and admonished the saints which were at Rome—regardless of whether they were Jew or Gentile—to be such who learned and understood how to live in communion, fellowship and relationship with those who were before and around them. It makes no difference whether it’s in the home, or in the work place, or in the church, or in any other social venue where we would have interaction with those who have been formed and created in the image of God. Oh there is a great need for us to recognize and understand that we have all been created in the image and likeness of the living God and it makes no difference whether that one is a Jew or that one is a Gentile. We have all been created in the image and likeness of the living God and it makes no difference what the color of our skin is, what race we are, what gender we are (male and female) for we have all been called to live in communion and fellowship together with those who are present all around us. It is with this in mind I invite you to consider the following words which are found in the twelfth chapter of the first epistle written by the apostle Paul unto the saints which were at Corinth as well as the words which are found in the twelfth chapter of this epistle written by the apostle Paul unto the saints which were at Rome:

 

            “Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I would not have you ignorant. Ye know that ye were Gentiles, carried away unto these dumb idols, even as ye were led. Wherefore I give you to understand, that no man speaking by the Spirit of God calleth Jesus accursed: and that no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost. Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord. And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord. And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all. But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal. For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit; to another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit; to another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues: but all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will” (1 Corinthians 12:1-11).

 

            “For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ. For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit. For the body is Noe one member, but many. If the foot shall say, Because I am not the hand, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body? And if the ear shall say, Because I am not the eye, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body? If the whole body were an eye, where were the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where were the smelling? But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him. And if they were all one member, where were the body? But now are they many members, yet but one body. And the eye cannot say unto the hand, I have no need of thee: nor again the head to the feet, I have no need of thee: nor again the head to the feet, I have no need of you. Nay, much more those members of the body, which seem to be more feeble, are necessary: and those members of the body, which we think to be less honourable, upon these we bestow more abundant honour; and our uncomely parts have more abundant comeliness. For our comely parts have no need: but God hath tempered the body together, having given more abundant honour to that part which lacked: that there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another. And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honored, all the members rejoice with it. Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular” (1 Corinthians 12:12-27).

 

            “Let love be with dissipation. Ashore that which is evil; cleave to that which is good. Be kindle affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another; not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord; rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer; distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality. Bless them which persecute you; bless and curse not. Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep. Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits. Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men. If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men. Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. Therefore if thine enemy hungred, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good” (Romans 12:9-21).

 

            As I bring this writing to a close I find it absolutely necessary to call and draw your attention to the words which the apostle Paul wrote in these final chapters. If you turn and direct your attention to the words which are found in the final verses of the thirteenth chapter you will find the apostle Paul speaking of the knowledge of the time and that it was high time to awake out of sleep for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed. The apostle Paul goes on to write that the night is far spent and the day is at hand and admonished and encouraged them to cast off the works of darkness and to put on the armour of light. The apostle Paul encouraged them to walk honestly as in the day and not in rioting and drunkenness, nor in chambering and wanton ness nor in strife and envying. The apostle Paul admonished them to put on the Lord Jesus Christ and make not provision for the flesh to fulfill the lusts thereof. The apostle Paul wanted to bring the saints which were at Rome to the place where they recognized that they needed to ensure that they were indeed and were in fact walking in holiness and righteousness before the living and eternal God. As surely as their relationship to and with the living God was indeed the foundation for their relationship to others they also needed to recognize and understand that their relationships to others was directly impacted by their own righteousness and standing before the living God. If you want to truly live in proper fellowship and relationship with those around you you must needs recognize that you have a responsibility and a duty to present your body a living sacrifice holy and acceptable in the sight of the living God. It is to the degree and measure you present your body as a living sacrifice unto the Lord—a sacrifice that is pleasing, a sacrifice that is holy and a sacrifice that is acceptable in the sight of the living God that you will be able to truly live in and enjoy proper fellowship to and with God and with others.

 

            If you read the words which are found in this passage of Scripture you will find the apostle Paul writing concerning those who are weak in the faith and that they were to be received but not to doubtful disputations. The apostle Paul earnestly and eagerly sought to warn and admonish the saints which were at Rome not to esteem themselves as better than those who were before and around them but to esteem others as better than themselves. This is precisely what the apostle Paul write in the second chapter of the epistle written unto the Philippian saints where he admonished them to have the same mind which was in Christ Jesus who made Himself of no reputation. There is a great need for us to recognize that regardless of whether we are weak in the faith or whether we perceive ourselves as strong we are indeed to bear the burdens and the infirmities of those who are around us. Not only this but we are to do so without doubting, without judgment, without criticism and without condemnation and accusation toward and against them. The apostle Paul admonished them not to please themselves and to let every one of them please his neighbor for his good to edification for even Christ pleased not Himself. The apostle Paul diligently entreated that them that be with one mind and one mouth and that they might glorify God who was the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ and to receive one another as Christ also received us to the glory for God.