ROMANS 8:1–2 Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus (Romans 8:1). Romans 8:1 is one of the most glorious verses in all the Bible. It declares that in Christ there is no condemnation for us. The beauty of this verse lies in that it comes right after Romans 7 … Continue reading “NO CONDEMNATION IN CHRIST”
THE STRUGGLE OF THE CHRISTIAN
ROMANS 7:21–25 So I find this law at work: When I want to do good, evil is right there with me. For in my inner being I delight in God’s law; but I see another law at work in the members of my body, waging war against the law of my mind and making me … Continue reading “THE STRUGGLE OF THE CHRISTIAN”
PAUL, THE CARNAL CHRISTIAN
ROMANS 7:14–20 For we know that the law is spiritual, but I am carnal, sold under sin (Romans 7:14 nkjv). In this verse we see a contrast between the law and Paul himself. He contrasts the law as spiritual with himself as carnal. There have been those in evangelical Christianity who have set up a … Continue reading “PAUL, THE CARNAL CHRISTIAN”
THE HOLINESS OF GOD’S LAW
ROMANS 7:12–13 So then, the law is holy, and the commandment is holy, righteous and good (Romans 7:12). What is the usefulness of the law for the Christian? The best discussion of this that I have found is in John Calvin’s Institutes of the Christian Religion, book 2, chapter 7. Here Calvin sets out the … Continue reading “THE HOLINESS OF GOD’S LAW”
THE MISUSE OF GOD’S LAW
ROMANS 7:7–12 For sin, seizing the opportunity afforded by the commandment, deceived me, and through the commandment put me to death (Romans 7:11). We notice here, and throughout Romans 7:7–12, that it is not the law that is the enemy but sin. It was not the law but sin that deceived me and killed me. … Continue reading “THE MISUSE OF GOD’S LAW”
LIBERATED FROM THE LAW
ROMANS 7:1–6 So, my brothers, you also died to the law through the body of Christ, that you might belong to another, to him who was raised from the dead, in order that we might bear fruit to God (Romans 7:4). Romans 7:1–6 is sometimes misinterpreted to mean that the law has died, and so … Continue reading “LIBERATED FROM THE LAW”
GUILT AND THE CHRISTIAN LIFE
ZECHARIAH 3 Then he showed me Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of the Lord, and Satan standing at his right side to accuse him (Zechariah 3:1). One of the main ways Satan and his legions have of paralyzing the believer is through accusation. One way is for the Devil to get us … Continue reading “GUILT AND THE CHRISTIAN LIFE”
SATAN AND THE CHRISTIAN
1 PETER 5:8–9 Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour (1 Peter 5:8). While many modern people will readily admit that they believe in God, very few will admit to believing in the Devil. It is true, of course, that for most people, … Continue reading “SATAN AND THE CHRISTIAN”
THE FLESH AND THE SPIRIT
GALATIANS 5:16–18 For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish (Galatians 5:17 nkjv). The fierce struggle between the flesh and the spirit in the Bible is not to be understood as some … Continue reading “THE FLESH AND THE SPIRIT”
THE WORLD VERSUS CHRISTIANITY
JOHN 17:13–19 I have given them your word and the world has hated them, for they are not of the world any more than I am of the world (John 17:14). The Christian has three enemies: the world, the flesh, and the Devil. Today we need to think about the first of these. In the … Continue reading “THE WORLD VERSUS CHRISTIANITY”