The
crux of the matter is, one is either a slave to sin which is tantamount to
being a slave of the devil because, “He who sins is of the devil, for the devil
has sinned from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested,
that He might destroy the works of the devil.” Or being a slave of
righteousness which is tantamount to being a slave of God, for having been set
free from sin, we became slaves of righteousness and having been set free from
sin, and having become slaves of God we have our fruit to holiness, and the
end, everlasting life” (1John 3:8; Romans 6: 18,22).
Now, the manifestation of enslavement to sin
or to the devil is three folds and for which we have been duly admonished
saying; “Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the
world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world ---
the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life --- is not
of the Father but is of the world. And the world is passing away, and the lust
of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever” (1John
2:15-17).
In
short, giving first priority to fulfilling the lust and desires of the flesh,
and the lust of the eyes which is materialism and the pride of life which is to
seek honor and prestige instead of submitting to the laws and obedience to God
is to be slaves of the devil, and so, the admonition is, “Therefore put to
death your members which are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion,
evil desire, and covetousness, which are idolatry. Because of these things the
wrath of God is coming upon the sons of disobedience” (Colossians
3:5-6).
Similarly,
being enslaved to righteousness or to God is also three folds for; “This is He
who came by water and blood --- Jesus Christ; not only by water, but by water
and blood. And it is the Spirit who bears witness, because the Spirit is truth.
And, there are three that
bears witness on earth, the Spirit, the water [flesh] and the blood and these
three agrees as one:” (1John
5:6,8).
So
here is the threefold aspect of righteousness which produces holiness and
ultimately everlasting life or immortality: I will deal with each one individually.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/145385777X
To be continued
With brotherly love
Lucius Joseph
No comments:
Post a Comment