The law of sin and death

1.      The Law of sin and death

It is imperative that we first establish the fact that, the law of sin and death has absolutely no connection or anything in common with the law of love. The law of sin and death is a law that is in total contrast to the law of love, because according to the apostle Paul, “Has then what is good (referring to the law of love) become death to me? Certainly not! But sin, that it might appear sin, was producing death in me through what is good, so that sin through the commandment might become exceedingly sinful. For we know that the law is spiritual, but I am carnal, sold under sin” (Romans 7:12-14).

The law of sin and death is a force or power, which resides and operates in the flesh. It became effective from the time Eve partook of the fruit from the tree of knowledge of good and evil, leaving this powerful force that operates in the human flesh.The apostle Paul alluded to this fact by saying: “I know that nothing good lives in me that is, in my sinful nature. For, I have the desire to do what is good but I cannot carry it out. For what I do is not the good I want to do; no, the evil I do not want to do – this I keep doing. Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it. 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 a prisoner of the law of sin at work within my members. What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death? Thanks be to God – through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, I myself in my mind am a slave to God’s laws, but in the sinful nature a slave to the law of sin” (Romans 7:18-25).

The law of sin and death is the powerful sinful nature that resides in our flesh, and this is what the law of the Spirit of life (God's divine nature) in Christ Jesus has made us free from.

The law of the Spirit of life is the authoritative rule, or stipulated way of life in the Spirit, that makes one free from the law of sin and death. This authoritative rule or power is the righteousness of God. For it is written; “Do you not know that to whom you present yourselves slaves to obey, you are that one’s slaves whom you obey, whether of sin to death, or of obedience to righteousness? But God be thanked that though you were slaves of sin, yet you obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine to which you were delivered.'

"And having been set free from sin, you became slaves of righteousness – For just as you presented your members as slaves of uncleanness and of lawlessness leading to more lawlessness, so now present your members as slaves of righteousness for holiness. For when you were slaves of sin, you were free in regard to righteousness.” And, “If Christ (who is the way, the truth, and the life), is in you, the body (where the law of sin and death dwells) is dead because of sin, but the Spirit is life because of righteousness” For when you were slaves of sin, you were free in regard to righteousness. (Romans 6:16-20; 8:10).

The same way when one is a slave of sin he/she is free in regards to righteousness, in like manner, when one is a slave to righteousness he/she is free in regards to sin.

To be continued

The test of knowing God

The test of knowing God

There is however, a test by which one can know who is of the truth and who is not. Calling on the name of Jesus and performing miracles in His name is no proof that the individual is of the truth, because we have been forewarned by Jesus Christ saying; “Take heed that no one deceives you. For many will come in My name, saying, 'I am the Christ,' and will deceive many” (Matthew 24:4-5).

And with regards to performing miracles and casting out demons, remember, the Scribes accused Jesus saying, "He has Beelzebub," and, "By the ruler of the demons He casts out demons." This therefore confirms that, performing miracles and casting out demons is no proof that the individual is from God. The apostle Paul also warned us saying, “For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into apostles of Christ. And no wonder! For Satan transforms himself into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also transform themselves into ministers of righteousness, whose end will be according to their works. (Mark 3:22; 2 Corinthians 2:13-15):

Therefore, what is the test of knowing who is from God and who is not! The test is simple and a believer should not be unsure of him/herself, for we have been instructed saying; “Now by this we know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments. He who says, "I know Him," and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But whoever keeps His word, truly the love of God is perfected in him. By this we know that we are in Him. He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked” (1 John 2:3-6).

The love towards God is demonstrated by the keeping of His commandments especially the first four which has to do with the manner and time of worship. Jesus said quite emphatically "But why do you call Me 'Lord, Lord,' and not do the things which I say?” (Luke 6:46).

And, the way we express our respect and adoration to Jesus Christ as being the Lord is by observing His Sabbaths. For thus says the Lord; “You shall not make idols for yourselves; neither a carved image nor a sacred pillar shall you rear up for yourselves; nor shall you set up an engraved stone in your land, to bow down to it; for I am the LORD your God. You shall keep My Sabbaths and reverence My sanctuary: I am the LORD” (Leviticus 19:30, 26:1-2).

It is therefore abundantly clear that the way one demonstrates love, respect, honor and adoration to Jesus Christ as the LORD is by observing His Sabbaths. And the irony of truth is, one is either the servant of righteousness or the servant of sin, and we all have the prerogative to observe or not to observe them, because we have been admonished saying: “ One person esteems one day above another; another esteems every day alike. Let each be fully convinced in his own mind. He who observes the day, observes it to the Lord; and he who does not observe the day, to the Lord he does not observe it.” When we observe the days the Lord has set aside to worship, we do so at our own volition and give honor and glory to Him as the Lord.

To be continued

The correlation between the law and man

The correlation between law and man

 In my interactions with many “believers” the majority of them seem very antagonistic towards law, they become agitated and discombobulated at the slightest mention of the word and really get offended and are quick to say that we are not under law but under grace without truly understanding the significance of this statement.

But the irony of truth is, in every aspect of life, there is a law that regulates it. In regards to the life which is in accordance to the Spirit, there are four indispensable laws that are of intrinsic importance to the growth and development of the life which is in accordance to the Spirit.

1.      The law of love

The law of love is the principal law that governs and regulates the life of a believer; it is the law which God has ordained by which man should live. This law is eternal, holy, spiritual. Just and good: It is a law that instructs us on how to have a relationship with God and with one another. Remember, one of the Scribes asked Jesus a question saying; “Which is the first commandment of all?" Jesus answered him, "The first of all the commandments is: 'Hear, O Israel, the LORD our God, the LORD is one. And you shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with your entire mind, and with all your strength.' This is the first commandment. And the second, like it, is this: 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' There is no other commandment greater than these."

So the scribe said to Him, "Well said, Teacher. You have spoken the truth, for there is one God, and there is no other but He. And to love Him with all the heart, with all the understanding, with all the soul, and with all the strength, and to love one's neighbor as oneself, is more than all the whole burnt offerings and sacrifices" (Mark 12:28-33).

Now it is an undeniable fact that, no one is justified by the observance of the law for it is stated clearly, “Now we know that whatever the law says, it says to those 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 no flesh will be justified in His sight, for by the law is the knowledge of sin” (Romans 3:19-20).

There are four important things one can derive from this passage of scripture:

a)      That whatever the law says, it says to those who are under the law.

So then, who exactly are those who are under the law? There is a universal saying which says, “no one is above the law,” so, at what point in time is a person not under law! A person is not under law only when he/she is living within the confines of the law as eluded to by the apostle Paul who wrote: “knowing this: that the law is not made for a righteous person, but for the lawless and insubordinate, for the ungodly and for sinners, for the unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for man-slayers, for fornicators, for sodomites, for kidnappers, for liars, for perjurers, and if there is any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine, according to the glorious gospel of the blessed God which was committed to my trust” (1 Timothy 1:9-11).

b)      That every mouth may be stopped, and the entire world may become guilty before God.

The question is why? The logical answer is, no one can say that they have no sin, because, “If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him (God) a liar, and His word is not in us.” Therefore, the whole world is guilty before God.” (1 John 1; 8, 10).

c)      Therefore by the deeds of the law no flesh will be justified in His sight.

The truth of the matter is, no one can be justified in the sight of God by observing the law because no one is able to observe the law in its entirety without violating it in one way or the other, for it is stated clearly that; “For whoever shall keep the whole law, and yet stumble in one point, he is guilty of all. For He who said, "Do not commit adultery," also said, "Do not murder." Now if you do not commit adultery, but you do murder, you have become a transgressor of the law. ,” (James 2:10-11).

d)      For by the law is the knowledge of sin.

The purpose of the law is to teach us what sin is, for it is stated that, “(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 those who had not sinned according to the likeness of the transgression of Adam, who is a type of Him who was to come” (Romans 5:13-14).

And according to the apostle Paul, “What shall we say then? Is the law sin? Certainly not! On the contrary, I would not have known sin except through the law. For I would not have known covetousness unless the law had said, "You shall not covet" (Romans 7:7).

Therefore, the function of the law of love is to teach us how to live and have a good relationship with God and our neighbor, but it does not save us, and neither are we able to observe it in its entirety and escape the consequences for transgressing them.

Nevertheless, it is imperative to know how to demonstrate our love towards God and towards our neighbor. The way one demonstrates his/her love towards God is to keep His commandments, for the Lord said clearly, “If you love Me, keep My commandments.” One common mistake believers do is not differentiating the love of God from the love of our neighbor.

To be continued

When was the Word made flesh

There is a point in time, a precise date when the Word became 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. As free moral agents, we all have the prerogative to observe or esteem one day above another; while another esteems every day alike, but we are to let each be fully convinced in his own mind. Now, he who observes the day, observes it to the Lord; and he who does not observe the day, to the Lord he does not observe it.

In our humble opinion, don’t we think that the day on which the Word, who created the heavens, the earth, the sea and springs of water became flesh and dwelt among us should be a day to be highly esteemed, celebrate, commemorate and perpetuate throughout  all generations?

And also, on the eighth day when He was circumcised and through His circumcision, inducted all those who at that time were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world, to become part and parcel of the commonwealth of Israel and covenants of promise as a day deserved to be highly esteemed, celebrate, commemorate and perpetuate throughout all generations?

Also, on this same eighth day from the day of His birth, God highly exalted Him and gave Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Should not a day like this be one among those one should definitely regard above other days and regard it to the Lord, by celebrating, commemorating, and perpetuating it?

So my question is, why the birth and circumcision of Jesus Christ not being celebrated, commemorated and perpetuated by the masses who profess to know Him? And why the precise date is claimed to be unknown by the masses who profess to know Him but has instead substituted and promulgating a counterfeit date as the date of Christ’s birth? 

I would like us to consider this for a moment, if the rationale for Jesus Christ taking on flesh was prophesied as follows; "For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; and the government will be upon His shoulder. and His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end, upon the throne of David and over His kingdom, to order it and establish it with judgment and justice from that time forward, even forever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this." (Isaiah 9:6).

When the wise men from the East  came to Jerusalem seeking Jesus they asked; "Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we have seen His star in the East and have come to worship Him" (Matthew 2:2).

During Jesus' trial before Pilate, Pilate asked Him; "Are You the King of the Jews?" Jesus answered him and said, "Are you speaking for yourself about this, or did others tell you this concerning Me?" Then Jesus said to him again; "My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, My servants would fight, so that I should not be delivered to the Jews; but now My kingdom is not from here."

Pilate therefore said to Him, "Are You a king then?" Jesus answered, "You say rightly that I am a king. For this cause I was born, and for this cause I have come into the world, that I should bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice" (John 18:33-37).

I therefore beg to ask the question, if it was prophesied that Jesus Christ would be King from birth even forever and the zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this. The wise men from the East acknowledged  Him and worshiped Him as King from birth, He confirmed to Pilate saying; "You say rightly that I am a king. For this cause I was born, and for this cause I have come into the world.' Since there is a feast in honor of the King the Lord of hosts who is this feast honoring! And what is the rational or objective of this festival?

It is clearly stated; "And it shall come to pass that everyone who is left of all the nations which came against Jerusalem shall go up from year to year to worship the King, the LORD of hosts, and to keep the Feast of Tabernacles. And it shall be that whichever of the families of the earth do not come up to Jerusalem to worship the King, the LORD of hosts, on them there will be no rain. If the family of Egypt will not come up and enter in, they shall have no rain; they shall receive the plague with which the LORD strikes the nations who do not come up to keep the Feast of Tabernacles" (Zechariah 14:16-18).

As one can clearly see this festival was ordained specifically to worship and honor the King the Lord of hosts a title that was assigned to Jesus Christ from birth and there is an Eighth day associated with this festival which commemorates His circumcision as plainly stated in scriptures stating; "And when eight days were completed for the circumcision of the Child, His name was called JESUS, the name given by the angel before He was conceived in the womb" ( Luke 2:21). 

I tell you, truly, these times of ignorance God overlooked, but now command all men everywhere to repent, the question is will you!

With brotherly love

Lucius Joseph

Significance of the Eighth Day

I wonder how many professing believers who will recognize and hold in high esteem Sunday 20^th October 2019! This day ought to be a very significant day for all humanity, but unfortunately, because of false teachings the significance of that day has not been taught, not been held and has not been perpetuated as it ought to be.

Sunday 20^th October 2019 is the Eighth day of the Feast of Tabernacles, a biblical festival which most professing believers have totally disregarded or to them are inconsequential. But what exactly is the significance of the Eighth day of the Feast of Tabernacles?

We have been duly instructed in scriptures saying: “The fifteenth day of this seventh month shall be the Feast of Tabernacles for seven days to the LORD. On the first day there shall be a holy convocation. You shall do no customary work on it. For seven days you shall offer an offering made by fire to the LORD. On the eighth day you shall have a holy convocation, and you shall offer an offering made by fire to the LORD. It is a sacred assembly, and you shall do no customary work on it” (Leviticus 23:34-36).

First of all, it should be noted that if one doesn’t know the significance of the Feast of Tabernacles in our new dispensation, neither will they know the significance of the Eighth Day. So then, what is the significance of the Eighth Day?

In the old dispensation, the eighth day signified the time to;

a.       Offer an offering for the cleansing of leprosy

b.      Consecrate the first born of both man and beast to the Lord

For the Lord spoke to Moses saying; “Consecrate to Me all the firstborn, whatever opens the womb among the children of Israel, both of man and beast; it is Mine" (Exodus 13:2, Numbers 3:12).

c.       Circumcise every male child

As the Lord covenanted with Abraham saying; “This is My covenant which you shall keep, between Me and you and your descendants after you: Every male child among you shall be circumcised; and you shall be circumcised in the flesh of your foreskins, and it shall be a sign of the covenant between Me and you. He who is eight days old among you shall be circumcised, every male child in your generations, he who is born in your house or bought with money from any foreigner who is not your descendant. He who is born in your house and he who is bought with your money must be circumcised, and My covenant shall be in your flesh for an everlasting covenant” (Genesis 17: 10-13).

But how does this correlate with the New Testament dispensation! Since the instructions for this new dispensation is: “Was anyone called while circumcised? Let him not become uncircumcised. Was anyone called while uncircumcised? Let him not be circumcised. Circumcision is nothing and un-circumcision is nothing, but keeping the commandments of God is what matters” (1 Corinthians 7:18-19).

The significance of the Eighth Day in our New Testament dispensation is all fulfilled in Jesus Christ and it is manifested and effective and represents two important things in our spiritual life:

1.      The Circumcision of Jesus

We see in our New Testament dispensation that both John the Baptist and Jesus were both circumcised on the eighth day. With reference to John the Baptist we are told that. “So it was, on the eighth day, that they came to circumcise the child; and they would have called him by the name of his father, Zacharias. His mother answered and said, "No; he shall be called John" (Luke 1:59-60).

And with reference to Jesus we are told that, “And when eight days were completed for the circumcision of the Child, His name was called JESUS, the name given by the angel before He was conceived in the womb” (Luke 2:21).

But what significance is the circumcision of Jesus to us? The circumcision of Jesus which should be observed and reverenced by observing the Eighth Day of the Feast of Tabernacles signifies to us the following:

• “Therefore remember that you, once Gentiles in the flesh --- who are called Un-circumcision by what is called the Circumcision made in the flesh by hands ---that at that time you were without Christ.
• Being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel
• And strangers from the covenants of promise
• Having no hope
• And without God in the world.
•  But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ” (Ephesians 2:11-13).

This day therefore, necessitates our deepest appreciation because we are told that, “In Him you were also circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the sins of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ, buried with Him in baptism, in which you also were raised with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead. And you, being dead in your trespasses and the un-circumcision of your flesh, He has made alive together with Him, having forgiven you all trespasses, having wiped out the handwriting of requirements that was against us, which was contrary to us. And He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross” (Colossians 2:11-14).

2.      The day Jesus received His name

But what significance is this to us? Consider Jesus receiving His name on a day we are told that, “Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father” (Philippians 2:9-11).  

I therefore beg to ask the question, since on the eighth day of Christ´s birth all these things transpired for the benefit of all humanity, should we not show and express our deepest appreciation and gratitude to God and His Son Jesus Christ for all they did for us on that particular day? And don´t we think that particular day deserves to be commemorated in thanksgiving and appreciation to the Father and His Son? So then how could such a day which is the eighth day after the birth of Jesus Christ be hidden or not made known to man! “Truly, these times of ignorance God overlooked, but now commands all men everywhere to repent, because He has appointed a day on which He will judge the world in righteousness by the Man whom He has ordained. He has given assurance of this to all by raising Him from the dead."

The reality of the life in the Spirit

The crux of the matter is, one can either be spiritual or carnal and there is only one way that regulates the way of life that is in accordance to the Spirit and regardless of denominational affiliation, we should all be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.

Therefore, to live the life which is in accordance to the Spirit, a huge transformation has to first take place in the mind as we have been duly admonished saying; “For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, set their minds on the things of the Spirit: For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.”

The main reason why the mind transformation is so vitally important it is; “Because the carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be. So then, those who are in the flesh cannot please God” (Romans 7:7-8).

Now consider this carefully, if the carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can it be, what then is the nature of the spiritual mind? Obviously, the nature of the spiritual mind is one that is in harmony with God. In subjection to the law of God and will ever be in subjection to it.

In fact, the terms of the new covenant which the Lord has made with His people states; “But the Holy Spirit also witnesses to us; for after He had said before, "This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, says the LORD: I will put My laws into their hearts, and in their minds I will write them," then He adds, "Their sins and their lawless deeds I will remember no more" (Hebrews 10:15-17).

Now the rationale for having the laws into our hearts and written in the mind is for us not to forget or neglect them. For thus says the Lord; “I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will keep My judgments and do them” (Ezekiel 36:26-27).

Unfortunately, this is not what that is being taught or promulgated in the religious circle when we have been duly admonished saying; “Therefore, since Christ suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same mind, for he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, that he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh for the lusts of men, but for the will of God. For we have spent enough of our past lifetime in doing the will of the Gentiles --- when we walked in lewdness, lusts, drunkenness, revelries, drinking parties, and abominable idolatries. In regard to these, they think it strange that you do not run with them in the same flood of dissipation, speaking evil of you. They will give an account to Him who is ready to judge the living and the dead” (1 Peter 4:1-5).

The will of God is that we keep His commandments because it is by this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and keep His commandments. For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome” (1 John 5:2-3).

 Another very important aspect of the mind transformation is that of; “Setting our minds on things above and not on things on the earth where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but rather, we should lay up for ourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where our treasure is, there will our heart will be also. (See Colossians 3:2; Matthew 6:19-21).

Therefore, unless the mind is transformed from carnal to spiritual, one is unable to understand the things of God and so we have been admonished saying; “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God” (Romans 12:2).

What therefore is the law, the power, the system, or stipulated way of life in the Spirit that liberates us from the law of sin and death?

Before answering this question, it is imperative that we should first have a good understanding of the law of sin and death, because different people may have a different understanding, and interpretation, even their own opinions of this matter.

To be continued

Differentiating the life in the Spirit from that of the flesh

The huge disparity that exists between the life which is in accordance to the Spirit and the one which is in accordance to the flesh is the motivating and stimulating factor/s. For example:

a.       Life in the Spirit

The motivating and stimulating factor that propels the life which is in accordance to the Spirit is the word of God, which according to Jesus Christ; “It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life.” The apostle Paul in addressing this subject said, “For I delight in the law of God according to 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 will deliver me from this body of 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. (John 6:26, Romans 7:22-25).

b.      Life in the flesh

On the other hand, the stimulating and motivating factor that propels the life which is in accordance to the flesh is the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, which stems from what we see, what we hear, what we smell, what we taste and what we feel, known as our five senses. But we see clearly that there is one law that operates in the mind and another law that operates in the flesh.

The life which is in accordance to the flesh can be differentiated from that of the Spirit by four simple ways:

• 1.      Disobedience

Disobedience to the laws of God is a clear indication that one is walking and living in the flesh, because the carnal fleshly mind by nature is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be. So then, those who are in the flesh cannot please God. Therefore, disobeying the laws of God is a clear indication that one is not walking and living in the Spirit.

• 2.      Walking after the imagination of one’s own heart

One should not walk after the imagination of his/her own heart, because, the heart is said to be deceitful above all things and desperately wicked, and thus says the Lord. “Because your fathers have forsaken Me, they have walked after other gods and have served them and worshiped them, and have forsaken Me and not kept My law, and you have done worse than your fathers, for behold, each one follows the dictates of his own evil heart, so that no one listens to Me. Therefore I will cast you out of this land into a land that you do not know, neither you nor your fathers; and there you shall serve other gods day and night, where I will not show you favor” (Jeremiah 17:9; 16:11-13).

Again, the Lord says; "Because they have forsaken My law which I set before them, and have not obeyed My voice, nor walked according to it, but they have walked according to the dictates of their own hearts and after the Baals, which their fathers taught them," therefore thus says the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel: "Behold, I will feed them, this people, with wormwood, and give them water of gall to drink. I will scatter them also among the Gentiles, whom neither they nor their fathers have known. And I will send a sword after them until I have consumed them" (Jeremiah 9:13-13-16).

Again the Lord says: “this evil people, who refuse to hear My words, who follow the dictates of their hearts, and walk after other gods to serve them and worship them, shall be just like this sash which is profitable for nothing.” And so, thus says the LORD of hosts: "Do not listen to the words of the prophets who prophesy to you. They make you worthless; they speak a vision of their own heart, not from the mouth of the LORD. They continually say to those who despise Me, 'The LORD has said, "You shall have peace" '; And to everyone who walks according to the dictates of his own heart, they say, ' No evil shall come upon you” (Jeremiah 13:10; 23:16-17).

Walking after the dictates of one’s mind is contrary to the way of the Spirit, because ultimately, "At that time Jerusalem shall be called the Throne of the LORD, and all the nations shall be gathered to it, to the name of the LORD, to Jerusalem. No more shall they follow the dictates of their evil hearts” (Jeremiah 3:17).

• 3.      Following the customs and traditions of men

Jesus told the Pharisees and Scribes; "Well did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is written: 'This people honor Me with their lips, but their heart is far from Me. And in vain they worship Me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.' For laying aside the commandment of God, you hold the tradition of men --- the washing of pitchers and cups, and many other such things you do." He said to them, "All too well you reject the commandment of God, that you may keep your tradition” (Mark 7:6-9).

To set aside the days which the Lord has ordained and sanctified as days of holy convocations and referred to them as “My Feasts” and substituting them with other days and festivals which the Lord has not ordained, is a clear indication that the individual is not walking and living in the Spirit, but is living and walking in the flesh.

• 4.      Sectarianism

According to the apostle Paul sectarianism is both sinful and carnal. With regards to being sinful he wrote, “Now I plead with you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment. For it has been declared to me concerning you, my brethren, by those of Chloe's household, that there are contentions among you. I say this, which each of you says, “I am of Paul,” or “I am of Apollos,” or “I am of Cephas,” or "I am of Christ." Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul?” (1 Corinthians 1:10-13).

And with regards to sectarianism being carnal the apostle Paul wrote: “And I, brethren, could not speak to you as to spiritual people but as to carnal, as to babes in Christ. I fed you with milk and not with solid food; for until now you were not able to receive it, and even now you are still not able; for you are still carnal. For where there are envy, strife, and divisions among you, are you not carnal and behaving like mere men? For when one says, "I am of Paul," and another, "I am of Apollos," are you not carnal?” (1 Corinthians 3:1-4).

The crux of the matter is, one can either be spiritual or carnal and there is only one way that regulates the way of life that is in accordance to the Spirit and regardless of denominational affiliation, we should all be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.

To be continued

Way of life in the Spirit (part three)

Differentiating the life in the Spirit from that of the flesh

 There is definitely a huge disparity between the life which is in accordance to the Spirit and the one which is in accordance to the flesh, despite the fact that the physical human body is the mechanism and catalyst by which both lifestyles attain their objectives, as alluded to by the apostle Paul who admonished us  saying ; “And do not present your members as instruments of unrighteousness to sin, but present yourselves to God as being alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness to God.’ I speak in human terms because of the weakness of your flesh. For just as you presented your members (of the body) as slaves of uncleanness, and of lawlessness leading to more lawlessness, so now present your members (of the body) as slaves of righteousness for holiness” (Romans 6:13, 19).

The crux of the matter is, one is either a slave of sin or a slave of righteousness, for we have been again admonished saying: “Do you not know that to whom you present yourselves slaves to obey, you are that one's slaves whom you obey, whether of sin leading to death, or of obedience leading to righteousness?” Now, the source of sin is in the flesh as alluded to by the apostle Paul who wrote: “For what I am doing, I do not understand. For what I will to do, that I do not practice; but what I hate, that I do. If, then, I do what I will not to do: I agree with the law that it is good. But now, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells in me.’

“For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh) nothing good dwells; for to will is present with me, but how to perform what is good I do not find. For the good that I will to do, I do not do; but the evil I will not to do, that I practice. Now if I do what I will not to do, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells in me” (Romans 6:16; 7:15:20).

The huge disparity that exists between the life which is in accordance to the Spirit and the one which is in accordance to the flesh is the motivating and stimulating factor/s. For example:

a.       Life in the Spirit

The motivating and stimulating factor that propels the life which is in accordance to the Spirit is the word of God, which according to Jesus Christ; “It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life.” The apostle in addressing this subject said, “For I delight in the law of God according to 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 will deliver me from this body of 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. (John 6:26, Romans 7:22-25).

b.      Life in the flesh

On the other hand, the stimulating and motivating factor that propels the life which is in accordance to the flesh is the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, which stems from what we see, what we hear, what we smell, what we taste and what we feel, known as our five senses. But we see clearly that there is one law that operates in the mind and another law that operates in the flesh.

Therefore, to live the life which is in accordance to the Spirit, a huge transformation has to first take place in the mind as we have been duly admonished saying; “For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, set their minds on the things of the Spirit: For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spirituallyminded is life and peace.”

The main reason why the mind transformation is so vitally important it is; “Because the carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be. So then, those who are in the flesh cannot please God” (Romans 7:7-8).

Now consider this carefully, if the carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can it be, what then is the nature of the spiritual mind? Obviously, the nature of the spiritual mind is one that is in harmony with God. In subjection to the law of God and will ever be in subjection to it. Therefore, one can conclude that, the life which is in accordance to the Spirit is being governed and regulated by the law of God, whereas, the life which is in accordance to the flesh is stimulated by the law of sin and death.
To be continued

Way of life in the Spirit (part two)

6. Recreation

The sixth most essential elements in the sustenance of human life is recreation, an activity of leisure which is considered to be an essential element of human biology and psychology which is often done for enjoyment, amusement or pleasure and considered to be fun, for as the saying goes, “All work and no play makes jack a dull boy.”

In the spiritual realm or in the way of life in the Spirit, recreation also plays a vital role and specific days and occasions have been established by the Creator Himself, specifically for this purpose, because it is stated; “Thus the heavens and the earth, and all the host of them, were finished. And on the seventh day God ended His work which He had done, and He rested on the seventh day from all His work which He had done. Then God blessed the seventh day and sanctified it, because in it He rested from all His work which God had created and made” (Genesis 2:1-3).

The instructions given to all those who are walking and living in the Spirit are: “Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the LORD your God. In it you shall do no work: you, or your son, or your daughter, or your male servant, or your female servant, or your cattle, or your stranger who is within your gates. For in six days the LORD made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested the seventh day. Therefore the LORD blessed the Sabbath day and hallowed it” (Exodus 20:8-11).

In addition to the weekly Sabbath, there are other occasions such as the Lord`s festivals which were ordained for this purpose as we have been duly admonished saying; “And you shall rejoice before the LORD your God, you and your sons and your daughters, your male and female servants, and the Levite who is within your gates, since he has no portion nor inheritance with you” (Deuteronomy 12:12).

These are the days the Lord has ordained for recreation and spiritual rejuvenation for those who are living and walking in the Spirit, for we have been duly admonished saying; “For we who have believed do enter that rest, as He has said: " So I swore in My wrath, ' They shall not enter My rest,' " although the works were finished from the foundation of the world. For He has spoken in a certain place of the seventh day in this way: "And God rested on the seventh day from all His works"; and again in this place: "They shall not enter My rest."

Since therefore it remains that some must enter it, and those to whom it was first preached did not enter because of disobedience, again He designates a certain day, saying in David, "Today," after such a long time, as it has been said: "Today, if you will hear His voice, do not harden your hearts." For if Joshua had given them rest, then, He would not afterward have spoken of another day. There remains therefore a rest for the people of God. For he who has entered His rest has himself also ceased from his works as God did from His” (Hebrews 4:3-10).

And the warning is, “Let us therefore be diligent to enter that rest, lest anyone fall according to the same example of disobedience. For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart: And, there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account” (Hebrews 4:11-13).

  

7. Worship

 Worship is the seventh essential elements in the sustenance of the physical life, and as number seven, it depicts perfection, security, safety and rest, and regardless of one’s belief, the awareness of a higher authority is ever present and so the Lord warned His people saying; “Take careful heed to yourselves, for you saw no form when the LORD spoke to you at Horeb out of the midst of the fire, lest you act corruptly and make for yourselves a carved image in the form of any figure: the likeness of male or female, the likeness of any animal that is on the earth or the likeness of any winged bird that flies in the air, the likeness of anything that creeps on the ground or the likeness of any fish that is in the water beneath the earth. And take heed, lest you lift your eyes to heaven, and when you see the sun, the moon, and the stars, all the host of heaven, you feel driven to worship them and serve them, which the LORD your God has given to all the peoples under the whole heaven as a heritage” (Deuteronomy 4:15-19).

The conclusion therefore is, it is not every form of worship that is good and acceptable to God. The only form of worship that is good and acceptable to God is the one which He requires of us, that is, the one performed in Spirit and truth.

Otherwise, this is what the Lord says; "When you come to appear before Me, Who has required this from your hand, to trample My courts? Bring no more futile sacrifices; Incense is an abomination to Me. The New Moons, the Sabbaths, and the calling of assemblies --- I cannot endure iniquity and the sacred meeting. Your New Moons and your appointed feasts My soul hates; They are a trouble to Me, I am weary of bearing them. When you spread out your hands, I will hide My eyes from you; Even though you make many prayers, I will not hear. Your hands are full of blood” (Isaiah 1:12-15).

And even when we appear before the Lord at the appointed times, there is also a protocol on how to appear before Him that we are to adhere to which consist of the following:

a.       Sing to the LORD a new song!

Sing to the LORD, all the earth. Sing to the LORD, bless His name; proclaim the good news of His salvation from day to day. Declare His glory among the nations, His wonders among all peoples.

b.      For the LORD is great and greatly to be praised; He is to be feared above all gods. For all the gods of the peoples are idols, but the LORD made the heavens

 Signifying that, we should only worship the Lord who made the heavens and then blessed the seventh day and sanctified it, because in it He rested from all His work which God had created and made.

c.       Honor and majesty are before Him; Strength and beauty are in His sanctuary. Give to the LORD, O families of the peoples, Give to the LORD glory and strength. Give to the LORD the glory due His name;

 And the way one gives to the Lord the glory due to His name, is by observing His Sabbaths. For thus says the Lord; “You shall keep My Sabbaths and reverence My sanctuary: I am the LORD” (Leviticus 19:30. 26:2).

d.      Bring an offering, and come into His courts

 The rationale for having a holy convocation is to offer the Lord the food for His offerings which we are to be careful to offer to Him at the appointed time. For we have been admonished saying: “These are the feasts of the LORD which you shall proclaim to be holy convocations, to offer an offering made by fire to the LORD, a burnt offering and a grain offering, a sacrifice and drink offerings, everything on its day --besides the Sabbaths of the LORD, besides your gifts, besides all your vows, and besides all your freewill offerings which you give to the LORD” (Leviticus 23:37-38).

e.       Oh, worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness!

 This can only be fulfilled when everyone who present them-selves before the Lord are themselves holy because God is light and in Him is no darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.

f.       Tremble before Him, all the earth.

Meaning that we are to take His word seriously and be obedient to Him. For thus says the Lord; “Thus says the LORD: "Heaven is My throne, and earth is My footstool. Where is the house that you will build Me? And where is the place of My rest? For all those things My hand has made, and all those things exist," Says the LORD. "But on this one will I look: On him who is poor and of a contrite spirit, and who trembles at My word” (Isaiah 66:1-2).

These are the outward and visible signs which identifies the life which is in accordance to the Spirit and to this end, the life which is in accordance to the Spirit is as literal and practical as the life which is in accordance to the flesh and both utilize the same instrument or medium to accomplish their purpose which is our human body.

To be continued