“I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect” (Romans 12:1-2).
We have heard of the Roman Road and how it addresses righteousness and justification in Jesus Christ however if we continue on the road, we see the way to sanctification. Oh what a wretched I am if I do not continue on. Just a warning this is hard teaching, but it is well worth it, it leads too life. “Very truly I tell you, the one who believes has eternal life. I am the bread of life… I am the living bread that came down from heaven. Whoever eats this bread will live forever. This bread is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world” (John 6:47-48, 51). Jesus tells his disciples they must eat his flesh and drink his blood, a strange request to some who turned away saying “this is a hard teaching”. When asked if he too will turn away Peter responds, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. We have come to believe and to know that you are the Holy One of God.” Onward is the only way, wait on the Lord he will renew your strength. Jesus is the Word of God (John 1:1), he is the bread of life, we must eat his flesh and drink his blood for life, we must consume his word; words of eternal life. Go on my friend, there is much more along the Roman Road, abundant life awaits you. ”Sanctify them in truth; your word is truth”.
“Assuming that you have heard about him and were taught in him, as the truth is in Jesus, to put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness” (Ephesians 4:20-24). Continuing on the Roman Road we see that there are two laws at war within us; the law of sin and the law of God. Sin dwells in our members warring against our minds (Romans 7:23-25), whereas the law of God dwells in our inner being (Roman 7:22), written on our minds and put on our hearts (Hebrews 10:16). Oh what a wretched man I am if I do not continue on the road to sanctification, to the transformation and renewal of my mind. The law of God, the law of the Spirit, has made us free from the law of sin and death. Jesus came to condemn sin in the flesh and to fulfill the righteous requirement of the law, which the law could not do, it being weakened by the flesh (Roman 8:3-4). Know the law of the Spirit has freed you from the law of sin, do not put yourself back under the law for righteousness. And be careful my friend, persistence is needed, travel on.
A state of over-analyzing (or over-thinking) a situation so that a decision or action is never taken, is called Analysis Paralysis, it is an anti-pattern (a recurring problem that is usually ineffective and risks being highly counterproductive). This is how the enemy works against us, condemnation is effective if we believe it is from God in which case we become paralyzed to overcome. “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death” (Romans 8:1-2). To avoid paralysis we must know our identity in Christ, the truth, and that he is working out his good in us, he is conforming us to his image (Romans 8:28-30) and it is an ongoing process of renewal, “so we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day” (2 Corinthians 4:16). Freedom is here and it is good, so tarry here until you realize your motivation for carrying on. Many have become paralyzed here, without training and guidance they were not ready. Onward, up ahead is not an easy road, nor is there many who travel it, this way leads to suffering and persecution.
“For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God. 'The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to son-ship. And by him we cry, 'Abba, Father.' The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory” (Romans 8:14-25). The road leads to suffering, to a refining of who we are, to an identity in Christ were we are to be more than conquerors, “He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?” (Romans 8:32-35). This part of the road must be traveled, we must share in his suffering to share in his glory. Oh, what a glory it is.
Onward we travel the Roman Road. We see others by the wayside and the reason the road is Roman. Ignorant of His righteousness, trying to establish their own righteousness, they do not submit themselves to the righteousness of God, "for Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believes" (Romans 10:3-4). The righteousness of the law was described by Moses, it was a requirement to follow it and live in it. But the righteousness based on Christ and faith came from above, from Christ who is its' author and finisher, and since he is the word, faith also comes by the word and the word is written on our hearts and put in our minds, it is the righteousness of God we believe into (Romans 10:5-17). "For with the heart man believeth into righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made into salvation" (Romans 10:10). Into righteousness we believe and into salvation confession is made as it is written "Whosoever believeth on him will not be ashamed". True faith produces true action, faith comes by hearing. "How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace, Who bring glad tidings of good things!...So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God" (Romans 10:14-17). There is no discrimination between Jew and Gentile here, legalism will not sustain you, the road leads to faith in Christ, no other way. Carry on, the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable.
A friend of mine, Carl, once explained to me a principle of God, our renewal process is often in spirals of increasing knowledge and renewal that converge on the ultimate goal, each cycle closer than the previous. Put on your best travel shoes, as this part of the road may have to be iterated many times and many get Analysis Paralysis here. We have conformed to this world. We develop "flesh patterns", especially if we are older when we come to Christ, so more iterations of this part of the road is often needed. Many in the church do not understand this part of the road, like the religious establishment of Jesus's time they can judge and condemn or just out of ignorance cause paralysis in God's people on the journey here. But God's process is to transform us by the renewing of our minds so that we may be able to discern His will (Romans 12:2). The point is that God can deliver us from many things, and in truth we are delivered in our Spirit, but our flesh is still there and we must learn to live with it and without it. Discerning his will is key and this part of the road is for the mature, a training ground for discerning the will of God, which is needed up the road, this part of the road is "for those who are having their powers of discernment trained by constant practice" (Hebrews 5:14). Constant practice and iterations.
"Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and His ways past finding out!" (Romans 11:33). A good friend Tom Rains told me about Dr. William Edwards Deming, he is considered by many to be the father of modern quality control. In an economically collapsed and war torn Japan, he taught top business managers methods for the control and continuous improvement of processes and products. Deming made a significant contribution to Japan's later reputation for innovative, high-quality products, and for its economic power. Deming continually emphasized iterating towards an improved system, a repeated process implemented in spirals of increasing knowledge. One can envision an open coil spring, with each loop being one cycle of the scientific method, and each complete cycle indicating an increase in our knowledge of the system under study. This approach is based on the belief that our knowledge and skills are limited, but improving.[1] I hope my friend Carl knew he was putting forth not only a principle of God but also a scientific method for increasing knowledge. God's principles apply everywhere. Deming's system in Japan became a system for developing critical thinking. We are to know God's will in our lives, the workmanship he has created for us to do, and to do it with all of our heart, mind, soul, and strength.
"Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armor of God...", the road ahead leads to war. Like a Roman soldier trained by constant practice, we are to develop a process or pattern of discipline. A soldier thrown into war without iterative training will develop paralysis. Any soldier in warfare will fight like he is trained. From God's word and spirit we have the knowledge to transform and the power to succeed, but we must train by constant practice. Conforming to His image is the goal and as Paul put it we are people who with unveiled faces reflect the Lord's glory and are being transformed into his image, this is the process of God.
"Andde wehēmeis allpas, with unveiledanakalyptō facesprosōpon, beholding as in a mirrorkatoptrizō theho glorydoxa of the Lordkyrios, are being transformed intometamorphoō theho sameautos imageeikōn fromapo one degree ofglorydoxa toeis anotherdoxa, justkathaper as fromapo the Lordkyrios, who is the Spiritpneuma".[2].
We have heard of the Roman Road and how it addresses righteousness and justification in Jesus Christ however if we continue on the road, we see the way to sanctification. Oh what a wretched I am if I do not continue on. Just a warning this is hard teaching, but it is well worth it, it leads too life. “Very truly I tell you, the one who believes has eternal life. I am the bread of life… I am the living bread that came down from heaven. Whoever eats this bread will live forever. This bread is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world” (John 6:47-48, 51). Jesus tells his disciples they must eat his flesh and drink his blood, a strange request to some who turned away saying “this is a hard teaching”. When asked if he too will turn away Peter responds, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. We have come to believe and to know that you are the Holy One of God.” Onward is the only way, wait on the Lord he will renew your strength. Jesus is the Word of God (John 1:1), he is the bread of life, we must eat his flesh and drink his blood for life, we must consume his word; words of eternal life. Go on my friend, there is much more along the Roman Road, abundant life awaits you. ”Sanctify them in truth; your word is truth”.
“Assuming that you have heard about him and were taught in him, as the truth is in Jesus, to put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness” (Ephesians 4:20-24). Continuing on the Roman Road we see that there are two laws at war within us; the law of sin and the law of God. Sin dwells in our members warring against our minds (Romans 7:23-25), whereas the law of God dwells in our inner being (Roman 7:22), written on our minds and put on our hearts (Hebrews 10:16). Oh what a wretched man I am if I do not continue on the road to sanctification, to the transformation and renewal of my mind. The law of God, the law of the Spirit, has made us free from the law of sin and death. Jesus came to condemn sin in the flesh and to fulfill the righteous requirement of the law, which the law could not do, it being weakened by the flesh (Roman 8:3-4). Know the law of the Spirit has freed you from the law of sin, do not put yourself back under the law for righteousness. And be careful my friend, persistence is needed, travel on.
A state of over-analyzing (or over-thinking) a situation so that a decision or action is never taken, is called Analysis Paralysis, it is an anti-pattern (a recurring problem that is usually ineffective and risks being highly counterproductive). This is how the enemy works against us, condemnation is effective if we believe it is from God in which case we become paralyzed to overcome. “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death” (Romans 8:1-2). To avoid paralysis we must know our identity in Christ, the truth, and that he is working out his good in us, he is conforming us to his image (Romans 8:28-30) and it is an ongoing process of renewal, “so we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day” (2 Corinthians 4:16). Freedom is here and it is good, so tarry here until you realize your motivation for carrying on. Many have become paralyzed here, without training and guidance they were not ready. Onward, up ahead is not an easy road, nor is there many who travel it, this way leads to suffering and persecution.
“For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God. 'The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to son-ship. And by him we cry, 'Abba, Father.' The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory” (Romans 8:14-25). The road leads to suffering, to a refining of who we are, to an identity in Christ were we are to be more than conquerors, “He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?” (Romans 8:32-35). This part of the road must be traveled, we must share in his suffering to share in his glory. Oh, what a glory it is.
Onward we travel the Roman Road. We see others by the wayside and the reason the road is Roman. Ignorant of His righteousness, trying to establish their own righteousness, they do not submit themselves to the righteousness of God, "for Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believes" (Romans 10:3-4). The righteousness of the law was described by Moses, it was a requirement to follow it and live in it. But the righteousness based on Christ and faith came from above, from Christ who is its' author and finisher, and since he is the word, faith also comes by the word and the word is written on our hearts and put in our minds, it is the righteousness of God we believe into (Romans 10:5-17). "For with the heart man believeth into righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made into salvation" (Romans 10:10). Into righteousness we believe and into salvation confession is made as it is written "Whosoever believeth on him will not be ashamed". True faith produces true action, faith comes by hearing. "How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace, Who bring glad tidings of good things!...So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God" (Romans 10:14-17). There is no discrimination between Jew and Gentile here, legalism will not sustain you, the road leads to faith in Christ, no other way. Carry on, the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable.
A friend of mine, Carl, once explained to me a principle of God, our renewal process is often in spirals of increasing knowledge and renewal that converge on the ultimate goal, each cycle closer than the previous. Put on your best travel shoes, as this part of the road may have to be iterated many times and many get Analysis Paralysis here. We have conformed to this world. We develop "flesh patterns", especially if we are older when we come to Christ, so more iterations of this part of the road is often needed. Many in the church do not understand this part of the road, like the religious establishment of Jesus's time they can judge and condemn or just out of ignorance cause paralysis in God's people on the journey here. But God's process is to transform us by the renewing of our minds so that we may be able to discern His will (Romans 12:2). The point is that God can deliver us from many things, and in truth we are delivered in our Spirit, but our flesh is still there and we must learn to live with it and without it. Discerning his will is key and this part of the road is for the mature, a training ground for discerning the will of God, which is needed up the road, this part of the road is "for those who are having their powers of discernment trained by constant practice" (Hebrews 5:14). Constant practice and iterations.
"Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and His ways past finding out!" (Romans 11:33). A good friend Tom Rains told me about Dr. William Edwards Deming, he is considered by many to be the father of modern quality control. In an economically collapsed and war torn Japan, he taught top business managers methods for the control and continuous improvement of processes and products. Deming made a significant contribution to Japan's later reputation for innovative, high-quality products, and for its economic power. Deming continually emphasized iterating towards an improved system, a repeated process implemented in spirals of increasing knowledge. One can envision an open coil spring, with each loop being one cycle of the scientific method, and each complete cycle indicating an increase in our knowledge of the system under study. This approach is based on the belief that our knowledge and skills are limited, but improving.[1] I hope my friend Carl knew he was putting forth not only a principle of God but also a scientific method for increasing knowledge. God's principles apply everywhere. Deming's system in Japan became a system for developing critical thinking. We are to know God's will in our lives, the workmanship he has created for us to do, and to do it with all of our heart, mind, soul, and strength.
"Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armor of God...", the road ahead leads to war. Like a Roman soldier trained by constant practice, we are to develop a process or pattern of discipline. A soldier thrown into war without iterative training will develop paralysis. Any soldier in warfare will fight like he is trained. From God's word and spirit we have the knowledge to transform and the power to succeed, but we must train by constant practice. Conforming to His image is the goal and as Paul put it we are people who with unveiled faces reflect the Lord's glory and are being transformed into his image, this is the process of God.
"Andde wehēmeis allpas, with unveiledanakalyptō facesprosōpon, beholding as in a mirrorkatoptrizō theho glorydoxa of the Lordkyrios, are being transformed intometamorphoō theho sameautos imageeikōn fromapo one degree ofglorydoxa toeis anotherdoxa, justkathaper as fromapo the Lordkyrios, who is the Spiritpneuma".[2].