I’m sure everybody would have a story or two they could talk about their favorite teacher, or a teacher that they did not care for. I went to a Catholic school, and I can tell you all the rumors or stories you heard about nuns are true.   

Success in teaching is respecting the students. We are called to be teachers of God’s Word. Do we respect the students God has given us?  As a teacher of God’s Word, we must learn just as the students. 

If the students are to learn properly, they must respect the teacher. Through my years in school, I respected most of my teachers.  The ones you respected were the classes you learned the most from. Students and teachers can thrive under the proper conditions. 

All of the above attitudes must be in place in the Christian setting if God is going to bless the meetings as needed.  God placed the Body together as He sees fit. I Corinthians 12:23. And those members that we regard as less honorable to the body, upon these we bestow more abundant honor, and our less presentable parts are treated with greater modesty. 24. But our more presentable parts do not have this need. Rather, God has tempered the body together, giving more abundant honor to those members that are deficient, 25. So that there might not be any division in the body, but that the members might have the same concern for one another (A Faithful Version) And gives His gifts to whom He will Ephesians 4:11. And He gave some as apostles, and some prophets, and some evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers 12. For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ; 13. Until we all come into the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ; (A Faithful Version) 

But what if one of the students begins to surpass the teacher? This has happened before. If the teacher has true humility, they will direct the people to listen to the student. They will see that the Holy Spirit of God is working in the student to help the group.   

But this kind of humanity is rare indeed. In a situation like this, much {not all} of the time what happens is we find jealousy in the teacher. Human nature wants to bask in the glow of being up front. And human nature will not take a back seat if they think they are losing the limelight. And the peers of the student will usually be jealous also. Yet, for proper learning humility must be in place. All we must do is look at human nature and it will be no mystery to you why there is so much chaos in the Churches. 

For a teacher to act this way he brings disrespect to the student and may we add to God. And his ministry will surely suffer. God cannot work with this kind of pride. James 4:6. But He gives greater grace. This is the reason it says, “God sets Himself against the proud, but He gives grace to the humble.” (A Faithful Version) So here we see a lack of respect coming from a lack of humility.  No matter how talented that a teacher is, God will have to resist their ministry because of pride. 

But one who sees reality will want to respect the increase they see on one of their students. The right attitude {one of humility} will praise God when they see the increase of Jesus Christ in one of their fellow brothers or sisters. And they will surely be blessed for doing so. 

When and if this mutual respect is learned it will make for harmony in the Body of Christ. 1 Corinthians 12:25. So that there might not be any division in the body, but that the members might have the same concern for one another. (A Faithful Version) We then see the reality that it is God who puts the Body together as He sees fit. And if the teacher cannot accept that God is moving in one of the students and the student is surpassing them, then they will surely suffer loss. And not only will it affect the growth of the teacher, but it will affect the other students who are under the care of that teacher. 

Those in teacher positions have to be careful, because they can easily defile God’s temple. 1 Corinthians 3:16. Don’t you understand that you are God’s temple, and that the Spirit of God is dwelling in you? 17. If anyone defiles the temple of God, God shall destroy him because the temple of God is holy, which temple you are (A Faithful Version) 

The lack of humility is one of the greatest problems in the ministry today.  Paul did not walk in this pride; he saw the danger. This is why he walked in fear AND TREMBLING. 1 Corinthians 2:3. And I was in weakness and in fear and in much trembling when I was with you; (A Faithful Version) 

The following Scriptures show the danger of anyone ministering in God’s temple and not doing it the right way. Jeremiah 23:1-2, 1 Corinthians 3:17, Ezekiel 34, James 3:1. Those Scriptures should make anyone tremble who is in a teacher’s position; but it seemed few ever saw the seriousness of these Scriptural warnings. 

Too many trust in their natural talents and abilities. The very thing they think qualifies them to minister in God’s temple is the very thing that has become a hinderance to their ministry, because they depend on self and don’t see the need for the Holy Spirit. 

If the one teaching is not under the discipline of the Holy Spirit, then they will surely bring problems to themselves and the group.  Sooner or later serious problems will develop, and mostly sooner. 

As we begin to bring this to a close. To all those in teachers’ positions, may we give heed to these Scriptures. If we will seek God as we should in prayer and learn the humility necessary for growth not only individually but as a group. Then we will be in a safe position that Paul told Timothy, in 1 Timothy 4: 16. Be diligent with yourself and with the doctrines; continue in them. For in doing this, you will save both yourself and those who hear you. (A Faithful Version) 

Your brother in Christ, 

Ron

What is more important than all the physical healing around today—is that which heals the spirit in man. This is what Jesus meant when He said in John 14:12 Truly, truly I say to you, the one who believes in Me shall also do the works that I do; and greater works than these shall he do because I am going to the Father. 13. And whatever you shall ask in My name, this will I do that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14. If you ask anything in My name, I will do it. (A Faithful Version) 

All that Jesus did, all the miracles of healing and water turned into wine etc; this was all in the physical or sense realm. But now He is inside of us to heal the spirits of men. Through the ministry we are given we bring spiritual healing to people. We are given the ministry of reconciliation 2 Corinthians 5:18. And all things are from God, Who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given to us the ministry of reconciliation; (A Faithful Version) 

So many of us look to physical, I am guilty of this also. Great crowds gather around ministers who claim that God is doing a powerful work in their church and through them. {I am not trying to say that some people aren’t healed at some of these meetings because some may be healed.}  But people don’t realize how much they are drawn to the physical. This has nothing to do with spiritual healing. Many of those people who are healed physically can go on losing their salvation.   

But the healing of the spirit can better lead to having that person be brought to eternity if they stay with that healing. I am going to ask a hard question here—When you go to church do you go to a physical church, or do you go to church to meet Christ? There is a big difference. 

When I see those healing campaigns as people flock to these ministers for healing—it reminds me of  when Christ said you seek Me because of bread John 6: 26. Jesus answered them and said, “Truly, truly I say to you, you do not seek Me because you saw the miracles, but because you ate the bread and were satisfied.  He went on to tell them in verse 27. Do not labor for the food that perishes, but for the food that endures unto eternal life, which the Son of man shall give to you; for Him has God the Father sealed.” (A Faithful Version)   

Don’t misunderstand me, I’m not suggesting that it is wrong for people to seek physical healing. Christ did not rebuke people for seeking such. And many will be healed as they come to God for this healing; and He may want you to seek physical healing. But I’m trying to share the vast difference between physical and spiritual healing, few people see this difference. One can take place {physical} and may not have anything to do with the other {spiritual healing}. 

It is difficult for us to sometimes understand the difference between the two. Having physical thorns in our lives can be used by God to understand the lesson of Paul’s thorns in 2 Corinthians 12: 7. But in order that I might not be exalted by the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, an angel of Satan to buffet me, so that I might not be exalted. 8. I besought the Lord three times for this, that it might depart from me; 9. But He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you; for My power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore, most gladly will I boast in my weaknesses that the power of Christ may dwell in me. 10. For this reason, I take pleasure in weaknesses, in insults, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ; for when I am weak, then I am strong. (A Faithful Version) Here we see Paul asking three times to be healing of his physical affliction, but God told him that He was using this affliction for Paul’s growth pattern. Although Paul’s physical torment continued—so did his spiritual healing continued. So it can also give us spiritual healing through the physical torments we endure daily. Many may have to endure physical torment so that their spiritual healing can continue. 

If we take a closer look at Paul’s example, we will see that God allowed Paul to have this physical affliction because He was concerned that Paul would get proud. Therefore, the physical affliction led to 5: spiritual healing! Once Paul understood that God was using it in this manner then he said I would rather glory in my infirmities. He came to the place that he stopped asking for healing because he saw that God knew what was best for him. 

Paul grew to the point where he learned to glory in his weaknesses. Have we? Many of us pray to be made stronger, but we fail to see that we are praying to be made stronger in ourselves. This is not the way to victory in Christ. This lesson of Paul’s thorn is that he came to see that it was through weakness that Christ’ power was able to rest upon him more fully! But how many people do we see praying for weakness? It works the opposite that most of us have thought! 

We fail in that we pray to be made stronger in ourselves and God will not give power to the old Adam. His answer to the problem is not to make us stronger, but to take self out of the scene of action by holding it in place of death on the cross—Galatians 6:14, 2 Corinthians 4:10, Romans 6:1-6; TO CRUCIFY THE {OLD MAN-Adamic nature} Then we can be brought to the glorious victory of the resurrected life in Christ {New man-Christ Jesus}.  

God may not heal a person; just like He didn’t with Paul. Timothy wasn’t healed of some of his physical afflictions either—1 Timothy 5:23. No longer drink only water, but use a little wine for your stomach’s sake and your frequent infirmities. (A Faithful Version) Here were two servants who never received physical healing by God. We can drift into a mind set and think God isn’t blessing us if we are not healed of some physical affliction in our lives. But if we aren’t it may be for a reason that only God knows and not because they don’t have the faith.   

Over the years I have seen some brethren judge others who were not being healed.  As if they were more righteous than these brethren because they weren’t suffering these afflictions. Brethren, let us not drift into this type of mind set.  Remember brethren, we are not the final judge, have mercy and compassion for our fellow brethren. 

One of the mistakes of the Laodicean Church Revelation 3: 17. For you say, ‘I am rich, and have become wealthy, and have need of nothing’; and you do not understand that you are wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked. (A Faithful Version) They thought they were being blessed because they were increased and filled with goods that they were being blessed spiritually.  Look around us brethren, we all have so much stuff—dose this mean that God is blessing us spiritually? 

We can’t fall into this trap that we can’t see the difference physical and spiritual; many fall into the trap because they have many physical blessings that everything was alright spiritually. 

Think about these matters, brethren. Think on these Scriptures in this article how God will use physical torment to bring us to spiritual heights.  

Let us seek God diligently that we may look to the {new man-Christ Jesus} and move from the physical to the spiritual healing and see the glory of God working within our lives. 

Your brother in Christ, 

 Ron 

 I hope the title didn’t have anyone thinking I am so well versed in the Law this article is for someone else. I would encourage you to spend a few minutes and read through it and see if there is anything new for you to contemplate on. I will share with you that I learned something new myself in my research. I shared that I have been talking with two guys I work with who give messages at a Sunday keeping church and I shared this with them and thought it was worthy of sharing with everyone who reads it. What is the main conscience of most ministers and so-called theologians? Most believe the law of God is done away with. But is that true? What does God’s Living Word share with us on His law?  

First, let it be known that no one can obtain salvation by keeping the “Law.”  {Unless they do so perfectly}.  Nevertheless, the conclusion is that God’s “Law” or Torah has not been abolished. The Messiah plainly says so.  

What should the duty of mankind be?

Ecclesiastes 12:.13 Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.

Let’s start in Matthew 5:17 Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.  What is so hard about the passage?  Seems pretty straight forward as to what it says. 18 For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled. 19 Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. 

Luke 16:17 And it is easier for heaven and earth to pass, than one tittle of the law to fail.

John 10:35 If he called them gods, unto whom the word of God came, and the scripture cannot be broken; From Genesis a thread runs all the way through Scripture to the book of Revelation and it says the same thing, or the Word of God is no better than any other religious book out there.  

This may sound a little sarcastic, but do not take it that way; Next time you walk outside, look down and you’ll see the earth, and then look up, you’ll see the heavens. Does this say anything to anyone? This is just one way you can know that God’s “Law” is still in effect.  As the above Scriptures tell us this.

In the New Testament Strongs #3551 for Law is nomos, and the Hebrew Word Torah in the Old Testament Is Strong’s #8451, Torah is derived from the Hebrew root word yarah, which means “properly to flow as water {that is, to rain} to lay or throw {especially an arrow, that is, to shoot} to point out, to teach,archer,cast, direct, inform, instruct, lay, shew, shoot, teach”  Strong’s Hebrew # 3384.

We even in the church limit the Torah to just {LAW}, but it also means teaching or instructions. It is God’s instruction for how He wants His people to live and has little to do with the western view of secular law.

 I want to focus on the root word of Torah strong’s #3384 yarah. Notice the part of the definition that states, “to flow as water. Have you ever looked at God’s law as pertaining to flowing water? Are we damned or backed up and have become stale from lack of activity? We as brothers and sisters in Christ are commanded to come to the fountain of living waters, and the waters should be active within us showing a sinful world living in darkness the light of Christ.

Jeremiah 2:13 For my people have committed two evils; they have forsaken me the fountain of living waters, and hewed them out cisterns, broken cisterns, that can hold no water.

Jeremiah 17:13 O LORD, the hope of Israel, all that forsake thee shall be ashamed, and they that depart from me shall be written in the earth, because they have forsaken the LORD, the fountain of living waters.

Here we see God is called “the spring of living water.”

Ephesians 5:26 That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,

John 4:14 But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.

John 7:37 In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink. 38 He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.  We all have to ask ourselves do we have rivers of living water flowing from us? 39 (But this spoke of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Spirit was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.

In both of these verses, the word water was translated from the Greek word hundatos meaning “water {as if rainy} literally or figuratively.”  Do you remember Torah is derived from the Hebrew root word Yarah, which means; Properly to flow as water {that is, to rain}.

Proverbs 13:14 The law of the wise is a fountain of life, to depart from the snares of death.

With the concepts of the Messiah being God’s way, truth, life, Word and washing us with the water that will make us never thirst, it would appear that the Messiah is the Torah.

The Father does not want us to superficially obey His commandments, but He wants us to embrace them into our hearts and minds.  He wants us to obey out of love and respect, just as a child who obeys his/her parents for the same reason.

As we close this article, the culmination of the fountain of life is in the following Scriptures. Don’t take this water for granted, if your walk with Christ is filling sluggish and unfulfilled, go to Him and ask for that LIVING WATER to cleanse you and bring the river of life flowing from within you again.

Revelation 22:1 And he shewed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb. 2 In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was there the tree of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. 14 Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city. 17 And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.

It is my hope that this short article on the law of God will not diminish the work of the Messiah in anyone’s eyes but rather will ultimately lead to a more fulfilling relationship with the one true God.  

Brethren, stay thirsty for that pure water proceeding out from the throne of God. Don’t become stale and unusable with contaminated water.

Your brother in Christ,

Ron

Does God send His Spirit to anyone?  Let’s go back and look at an early lesson from Scripture that is still relevant for us today.

Genesis 8:7 And he sent forth a raven, which went forth to and fro, until the waters were dried up from off the earth .8 Also he sent forth a dove from him, to see if the waters were abated from off the face of the ground; 9 But the dove found no rest for the sole of her foot, and she returned unto him into the ark, for the waters were on the face of the whole earth: then he put forth his hand, and took her, and pulled her in unto him into the ark.  10 And he stayed yet other seven days; and again he sent forth the dove out of the ark; 11 And the dove came in to him in the evening; and, lo, in her mouth was an olive leaf plucked off: so Noah knew that the waters were abated from off the earth.  Did human nature change after the evil world was destroyed by the flood?  A pretty simple answer, look around you, we are heading down the same path as the world was in the times of Noah. 20 And Noah builded an altar unto the LORD; and took of every clean beast, and of every clean fowl, and offered burnt offerings on the altar.  Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ had to be offered on the cross or altar for a world that loves corruption.  

Galatians 5:17 For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other:  The raven and the dove are warring within our hearts and minds-so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.  18 But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law. 19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, 20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, 21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, 23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. 24 And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.  Has the flesh {raven} been crucified in our lives?  The door has been opened and the {dove} is waiting to land on the new creation.

The dove returned to the ark with an olive branch. It is an image of peace and restoration. The dove has a few interesting qualities. Doves are often associated with purity and innocence, making them a fitting symbol for the Holy Spirit,  Who is considered holy and pure, our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

The raven, a symbol of the unclean, when it did not come back was it feeding on dead and decaying flesh?  When Noah released the dove from the ark, it could not land upon the old creation and returned to the ark until it returned with an olive leaf.  Noah knew it was time to go forth from the ark and build an altar and give thanks to God.  Is there a spiritual lesson in this teaching for us today?  

The dove is symbolic of life.  The dove {Holy Spirit} feeds us through the truth of God’s Word.     This carnal world of Satan reflects the raven, which ate upon the dead bodies floating on the waters.  People are satisfied with what this fallen world has to offer.  The raven has the mindset of the world it feeds on death.  The world is spiritually feeding on the teaching of dead religions.  We should be like the dove–we live for the anointing of the Holy Spirit.  We all must ask ourselves, are we living the nature of the old world {man/woman} raven, or the new life of the new world {new man/woman} in Christ?

Ephesians 4:22 That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; 23 And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; 24 And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.

The lesson from the ark, we must put off that old man/woman.  That dead nature of the raven must be put to death.  So the dove {Holy Spirit} may land on its new creation and bring life.

Ezekiel 36:26 A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh.  27 And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them.  The “new spirit” is our spirit and the “my spirit” is the Holy Spirit.  Were there no new spirit in us there would be no Holy Spirit within us.  We would be like the raven feasting on this dead and decaying world.  To have His Spirit we must have a new spirit united with our spirit.

Do we have peace?  Is the new spirit dwelling within us?  John 14:27 Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.  This peace can only become a reality when the dove {Holy Spirit} descends upon us. 

Remember the only thing that would satisfy the dove is something from the new creation.  She found an olive leaf.  Noah knew, the new creation was ready to go out into it.  When God sees the dove {Holy Spirit} sitting on the new creation, He knowsHis end time temple is ready for habitation.  

Look at those around us, the world feeds their minds and hearts on the dead rotten garbage of Satan’s  world, this is what fills their hearts and minds.  Just like the world at the time of Noah, this world is under God’s judgement, the door is open to all. Will they come to the open door?  Will those we come in contact with listen to the end time preachers of righteousness?  

The dove could not feed itself on the dead and decaying like the raven did.  The dove had to continue to return to the ark until it found evidence of a new creation.  We have to continue and return day after day after day to the Word of God till we find Spiritual food and the green olive branch.  

Dove had an olive leaf in her mouth, we are to have the nature of the DOVE. We are to have the Word of God in our mouths.  The RAVEN is an unclean bird that feeds on dead and decaying flesh.  The dove is a clean bird symbolic of the Holy Spirit.  We are to have the nature of the dove that finds no rest in a corrupt world.

If the last days are going to be like the times of Noah, is there a last day of safety that believers need to enter into now–even today. We enter into a place of safety that is far greater and more long-lasting than the safety of Noah’s ark.  Acts 2:38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

Outside of Noah’s ark, terror and sin reigned.  As we look outside of God’s ark today, we see the same thing going on today, terror and sin reigns throughout the world. Just as in the days of Noah, the door of the ark stood open for a season, inviting whomever to come into the ark of safety.  2 Peter 2: 5 And spared not the old world, but saved Noah the eighth person, a preacher of righteousness, bringing in the flood upon the world of the ungodly;  Today God’s church is also preaching the righteousness of His Word just as Noah did.  Are those around us listening to the message that the dove {Holy Spirit} has put within our hearts and minds?

The open door possibly made people feel there was plenty of time to accept the offer, because it was always open.  It is no different today; many are not making their calling sure Matthew 25:1-11, and the world looks at it as tomorrow is going to be the same as today. The world is ever more comfortable living in sin and rebellion against God’s truth.

Brethren, we have to make our calling sure.  Don’t get put to sleep spiritually in this Godless society.  Jude 1:4 For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, {condemning God’s Word}  turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, [means a license to sin} and denying  { not to accept, to reject, to refuse something offered}   {what has mankind rejected and refused and offered?  The Word of God for the traditions of men} the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ.   Walk through the door while it is open.

Your brother in Christ,

Ron

Our first valid faith we exercised toward God was by means of reckoning {to acknowledge that something is true on the basis of established facts}. We looked upon Christ Jesus as our personal Savior and therefore saved {delivered}. Nowhere is this principle more explicit than in Colossians chapter three. Let’s see if we can tie Romans chapters 6,7,8 together with Colossians chapter three in its fullness.

Colossians 3:1 KJV – If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. 2 Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. 3 For ye are dead, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ, who is life, shall appear, then shall you also appear with him in glory. 9 Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds; 10 And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him: 

“If since then you were raised together with Christ.”  Paul shares this same truth in Ephesians 2:6.  

Reckoning ourselves alive in God in Christ amounts to our taking our position in Him. Since the heavenly sphere is now our true position, it follows that we are to seek there the things of Christ–spiritual realities. Colossians 2:9 For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily. 10 And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power:

1 Peter 2:4 To whom coming, as unto a living stone, disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God, and precious. Our Father yearns for intimacy and fellowship with His Church.

Luke 12:34 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.  Our mind is set upon the One in whom we live, not upon self and this world unto which we have died.  

The Holy Spirit ministers life exclusively from the true heavenly Source, Christ. It is the Spirit of the Father given by Christ. We must reckon upon our having died unto sin at Calvary, the old earthy source {our Adamic nature} within will continue to produce its life of carnality.  We must take our minds off the things of this world. When we set our minds upon Christ and abide in Him as our risen life, we become increasingly conformed to His image. Romans 8:29 For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.

“For you died and your life is hidden with Christ in God.”  Paul compresses the entire finished work of Romans Six, the whole truth of our identification with Christ.

Paul is dealing mainly with our relationship to the world and things earthly. Our having died on Calvary not only separated us from the reign of sin and self, but also from the deadly influence of this present world. “By means of the Cross”  Galatians 6:14 But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world.

“FOR YOU DIED” The only way we can escape the influence of the earthly sphere, the very element in which the self-life thrives, is to count upon our having died unto it. The death that we passed through now stands between us and the world.

Colossians 3:3 For you are dead and your life is hid with Christ in God. Our life is anchored in, and maintained by, our risen Lord Jesus. The reason so many Christians are not living for their heavenly position in the Savior is that they are not established in the truth of their freedom from the influence of the world.

When we learn to fix our mind upon Christ and rest in Him in the heavens, we will not be oppressed by self, circumstances, and situations here on earth! Our spiritual position is not down here, praying and pleading for help from Him at the throne of God, just the opposite! We do not go to Him for help, but we rest in Him as the all-sufficient One. We do not bring Him down to our level for our use; We abide in Him at His level for His use.

Colossians 3:4 When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.  Christ is our Christian life, therefore, as we grow spiritually, we become more like Him.  

Philippians 3:20 For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ: :21 Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself.   

Colossians 3:9 Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds; When was this accomplished? At Calvary! It is there we were separated from the old man by our death in Christ. 10 And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him:  The new man was put on when we were re-created in the Lord Jesus. This new nature is the very life of the One who is the express image of God.  Therefore, our growth in the knowledge of Him results in the manifestation of His life.

The old man, we seek to suppress self or crucify the old nature. The new man, we plead with God to change us for the better, and we try to be more Christ-like. But in all, we never seem to emerge from Romans Seven–total defeat.

Finally, we learn to meet the problem indirectly, by reckoning. We see in the Word that the old man has been effectively “put off” at the Cross; and we also see that the new man has been “put on” through our resurrection in Christ. Instead of being taken up with the problem, we now set our mind and heart on God’s answer: The crucifying Cross and the Risen Christ.

Your brother in Christ,

Ron

There is a Spiritual hunger and longing in the hearts of every growing Christian of the heaven-on-earth walk in Romans chapter eight. The very purpose of reckoning means {work out-counting-calculation} is that way we may live in this wonderful, and practical realm of life in Christ.

All that the Holy Spirit teaches us in Romans Six and takes us through in Romans Seven combines to prepare us for the walk in Romans Eight. This in turn, brings us to the blessed heights of Colossians. We may touch on this in a later article.

Through the years, weather we realize it or not, the Holy Spirit is developing us “glory to glory” 2 Corinthians 3:18 But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.  Along the Path that has been laid out for us the Romans 6 is the step that deals with the principle of sin and the answer to its power. Romans 7 is the struggle we all endure {usually years in duration} that has to do with the principle of law and brings the answer to its bondage.  Romans 8 is the walk based on the principle of life in Christ administered by the Spirit of life.

Let’s look at Romans 8:1 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but the Spirit. 2. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made us free from the law of sin and death.

There is a dual application in the truth of these two verses.  Concerning the future, the law of the Spirit of life in Christ has freed us from the eternal condemnation of the law of sin and death, Romans 6:23. For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.  As for the present, the Holy Spirit ministers the LIFE of the Lord Jesus within His end time Temple for our daily walk, continually freeing us from the power of sin and the deathly influence it brings in our lives. Romans 5:10 For if while we were enemies, we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, it is much more {certain} now that we are reconciled, that we shall be saved {daily delivered} from sin’s dominion through His {resurrection} Life. We are saved from the condemnation of sin because of His reconciliation; we are delivered from the power of sin because of His Life.

Especially in our early years as believers, most of us have felt that it was our responsibility, with the Lord’s help, to live a Christian life. Our unqualified failure in attempting to do so has been the Holy Spirit’s means of showing us that we cannot produce, nor are we meant to do so. Only the Lord Jesus can live His life through us, and He does this as we reject our own strength and resources, to walk in accordance with the Spirit of Life. Romans 8:4 That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.  

What it takes years for us to learn thoroughly, is that the Holy Spirit of our Father ministers All. By the Spirit we are sealed, we live, we grow, and we shall be raised. Romans 8:10 And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness. 11 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 dwells in you. It is especially important for us that He is the Spirit of Life.  

Even though we are alive in Christ Jesus, we have no power by which to live the new life in Christ, for that, as well as for everything else, we must rely upon the Holy Spirit of our God. This blessed gift of God’s Holy Spirit has been offered to us by Him whose Spirit and Life are pure. Think about this most wonderful gift and the guiding hand that has His Spirit will be for us when we truly trust Him for all matters.

Too many Christians today are seeking to live for the Lord on the basis of the principle of love. Now you might feel this to be a strange statement, for even I teach “love, mercy, and compassion” in all things as His way.

Our love is far too weak and vacillating for such an understanding; SELF will surely see to that. Romans 7:18,22,23.  

There is only one true and adequate motivating power in our Christian life, and that is the very life of the Lord Jesus, ministered within the Spirit of Life Himself. This is not a motivation of love, but the empowerment of life.  Philippians 1:21 For me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.

It is not; only what we have done for Christ that will last, but rather, only what is done in us by Christ that will last!

In Romans 8:6 For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Verse 7 reveals the nature of the flesh, 7. Because the carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.  

Romans 7:18 For I know that in me {that is, in my flesh,} dwells no good thing; for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not. Our old man/Adamic nature was not changed, but crucified; it was exchanged for the new creation in Christ Jesus. Romans 8:8 So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.  

We exchanged the position of death {Adamic nature} for the position of life {New Man in Christ} By means of our identification in the Lord Jesus Christ on the Cross, Romans 11:24 For if you were cut of the olive tree which is wild by nature, and grafted contrary to nature into a good olive tree; how much more shall these, which be the natural branches, be grafted into their own olive tree? How glorious to be a newly created branch grafted into The True Vine!

As the life of the vine flows by the Spirit of life, the fruit of the Spirit is increasingly manifested in the branch. Galatians 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, 23. Meekness, temperance, against such there is no law.

In the vine, we are complete; in ourselves, we are being “completed” through the growth based on reckoning. Romans 8:29 And we know that all things work together for the good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

Your brother in Christ,

Ron

A few thoughts for those who keep the appointed time. John the Baptist came baptizing in the river Jordan. Mark 1:7 – And preached, saying, There cometh one mightier than I after me, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to stoop down and unloose. 8 – I indeed have baptized you with water: but he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost. Our Savior after His resurrection promised his followers; Acts 1:5 – For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence. And that day was Pentecost.

The Jordan River comes from the melted snow of Mount Hermon. It is living water that flows, yet it ends up in the Dead Sea, where it moves nowhere. The river starts out with life–and ends up in death. Unless the water is used along the way, it is of no value–later on we will look at the Spiritual application of the physical example.

The Eternal is the primary source of the Holy Spirit. He is full of love–His love flows out from Him to us. God continues to give and to love in order to uphold His name.  Notice Jesus’ words in John 7:37 – In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink.  

1st, one must thirst

2nd we are to come

3rd then we must drink

4th and go on to believe (includes repenting & obedience).

Jesus Christ has promised the Holy Spirit to those who will do these things.  Notice verse 38 – He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. Whenever rivers go, they give life.  After tapping into the Eternals life giving water, then we become the primary source of these spiritual rivers.  We are the secondary sources.

What are these rivers of living water? Galatians 5:22 – But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, 23 – Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. There are two main sources of water.  One is a well where you must dig to find it. The other is a spring or river where water is bubbling out and flowing–the water comes to you.

If you are a river, no one will have to pump or work hard to get something out for you. You will respond and share the life-giving waters. Words and actions of life-giving qualities will flow outward to others.

Some people decide to be wells. They withdraw into their own shells, and you have to pump out the water instead if it is flowing out. It does not come up by itself. A well is an unconcerned person who prefers to remain hidden. This person may have goodness, but it is buried deep inside. Proverbs 18:1 KJV – Through desire a man, having separated himself, seeks own desire.  

The Eternal has given us the capacity to be like Him, even in this life; John 5:26 – For as the Father hath life in himself; so hath he given to the Son to have life in himself.  Isaiah 55: 1 Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price. Joel 2:28 – And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions: John 6:33 – For the bread of God is he which cometh down from heaven, for the transgressors given life unto the world. Isaiah 53:12 – Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he hath poured out his soul unto death: and he was numbered with the transgressors; and he bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.  

It is a law of nature that if you stop using your hands or legs, then they become useless. The same thing holds true for spiritual qualities as well. If we do not allow the qualities of love and giving to flow from you to others, then you will cease to have those qualities, for they will die within us. We have to continue to give of our gifts and substance to others or else, the quality of giving will stagnate and die, just like the “Dead Sea.”  

Even when you feel someone does not deserve it, do it for your sake, not someone else’s sake. God does not give to us depending on if we deserve it or not.  Humans do things on merit–whether one deserves it or not.  Outgoing love has nothing to do with feeling. You may not feel like giving to someone, but the law of love commands you to do it. Matthew 5:14 – Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hid.15 – Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. 16 – Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

A light bulb that is not switched on does no good. The Eternal did not with-hold His only Son from us John 3:16 – 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. Neither are we to withhold ourselves from others.  God gives us so much to give. People get bored because they are not giving enough. When you have the capacity to give, do it. If one does not deserve it, then it is his/her problem, not yours.

We have the ability to give life to others through the Holy Spirit. Are we doing it? We can use the Holy Spirit and God’s goodness for the benefit of others. We can use our voices to comfort and give support to others. We can use our faces to smile to give life giving qualities to others.

How do we determine if we are a river or a well? The degree to which we yearn and ache to give to others will tell us. Giving to others should be a pleasure.  When you find yourself stingy, you are lacking love. Let us not quench the Holy Spirit–allow it to flow to others. Stay connected to the source of the spiritual rivers and continue to give them out to others by sharing and helping. Be one who flows like a river.

Your brother in Christ,

Ron

1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

² For by it the elders obtained a good report.

³ Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear.

⁴ By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh.

⁵ By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God.

⁶ But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

⁷ By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith.

⁸ By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went.

⁹ By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as in a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise:

¹⁰ For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God.

¹¹ Through faith also Sara herself received strength to conceive seed, and was delivered of a child when she was past age, because she judged him faithful who had promised.

¹² Therefore sprang there even of one, and him as good as dead, so many as the stars of the sky in multitude, and as the sand which is by the sea shore innumerable.

¹³ These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.

¹⁴ For they that say such things declare plainly that they seek a country.

¹⁵ And truly, if they had been mindful of that country from whence they came out, they might have had opportunity to have returned.

¹⁶ But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city.

¹⁷ By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac: and he that had received the promises offered up his only begotten son,

¹⁸ Of whom it was said, That in Isaac shall thy seed be called:

¹⁹ Accounting that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead; from whence also he received him in a figure.

²⁰ By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau concerning things to come.

²¹ By faith Jacob, when he was a dying, blessed both the sons of Joseph; and worshipped, leaning upon the top of his staff.

²² By faith Joseph, when he died, made mention of the departing of the children of Israel; and gave commandment concerning his bones.

²³ By faith Moses, when he was born, was hid three months of his parents, because they saw he was a proper child; and they were not afraid of the king’s commandment.

²⁴ By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter;

²⁵ Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season;

²⁶ Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompence of the reward.

²⁷ By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king: for he endured, as seeing him who is invisible.

²⁸ Through faith he kept the passover, and the sprinkling of blood, lest he that destroyed the firstborn should touch them.

²⁹ By faith they passed through the Red sea as by dry land: which the Egyptians assaying to do were drowned.

³⁰ By faith the walls of Jericho fell down, after they were compassed about seven days.

³¹ By faith the harlot Rahab perished not with them that believed not, when she had received the spies with peace.

³² And what shall I more say? for the time would fail me to tell of Gedeon, and of Barak, and of Samson, and of Jephthae; of David also, and Samuel, and of the prophets:

³³ Who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions.

³⁴ Quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of the aliens.

³⁵ Women received their dead raised to life again: and others were tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection:

³⁶ And others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment:

³⁷ They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented;

³⁸ (Of whom the world was not worthy:) they wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth.

³⁹ And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise:

⁴⁰ God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect.