Love Fulfilled Ministry

" Likewise, my brothers, you also have died to the Law through the body of Christ, so that you may belong to another, to him who has been raised from the dead, in order that we may bear fruit for God . "1 We have died to the Law through the body of Christ, it is a picture of baptism. The "likewise" that Paul gives is an analogy of marriage; a wife is bound to the husband as long as the husband lives, thus we are bound to the Law, but through the body of Christ, his death, we have been released from the Law and bound to Christ. For what purpose? " For while we were living in the flesh, our sinful passions, aroused by the law, were at work in our members to bear fruit for death ." 2 The mind of the flesh is at enmity towards God, and will not subject to the laws of God. The Law was spiritual, holy, but we are weak in sinful body. "But now we are released from the law, having died to that which held us captive, so that we serve in the new wa...

"For that I will , the good I do not do , but that not willed , this evil I keep practicing . " 1 Notice the words do poieó "I do, make" and practice, prassó, "I do, perform, accomplish, practice." They are similar in meaning but the first refers to a single act unlike the latter which is implying what is done as a regular practice – i.e. a routine or habit. When I believed, I was born of Spirit, in my inner being, I am obedient, righteous, a perfect creation, I will to do good, but how do I practice such? " I find the principle; that willing to do good, evil is present with me . " 3 Notice in these scriptures the word for will, theló "I will," this is not to be confused with desire. Our desire and our will are not always aligned. This word for will is often translated as desire or wish but desire is the word epithumia (from epí, "focused on" and thymós, "passionate desire") – properly, passion built...

" Indeed, we have not an enduring city but the coming one we seek, on account of Him then we offer sacrifices of praise, thoroughly, everything to God, that is, fruit of the lips confessing His name, and the good and sharing be not forgetful, for such sacrifices are well pleasing to God ." 1 Thanksgiving is an offer of sacrifice to God, "Offer to God a sacrifice of thanksgiving And make your vows to the Most High; " 2   The Law offered sacrifices each year, these would never make one perfect, if it did there would be no need for another .  Christ came to offer his body a living sacrifice for sin, once and for all, on account of Him then we offer sacrifices. “ Sacrifice and offering You did not desire, but a body You prepared for me. In burnt offerings and sin offerings You took no delight. Then I said, ‘Here I am, it is written about Me in the scroll: I have come to do Your will, O God .’” 3   For those who follow Christ, our example, our reasonable serv...

" Therefore I implore you brothers, by the compassions of God present the bodies of you a living sacrifice Holy and acceptable to God, the reasonable service of you ." 1 This word for compassions , "pity, compassion, favor, grace, mercy." means properly, compassion, pity, i.e. deep feeling about someone's difficulty or misfortune. Christ is a High Priest "who is not unable to sympathize with our weaknesses" 3 This word for sympathize means to have compassion or pity on. Paul is not just passionately imploring us but he is giving us part of the solution to being a living sacrifice, God's grace. Lets look at how we enter into this great sacrifice, and reasonable service. " For sin you will not have dominion over, indeed, not under the law but under grace ." 4   This presenting of our bodies as a living sacrifice is needed to rule over sin. As Paul writes sin dwells in our bodies, though it is not I; no longer am I defined by the s...