"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 sin nature, however, I am in an un-glorified body where sin dwells. Thus to rule over sin I must rule over the flesh, and I will not do this by adhering to rules and regulations of "do not taste, touch , nor handle," no, these are of little help in the battle over the flesh, but I by the compassions of God (under grace) present my body a living sacrifice. I will stand in grace and rejoice in hope.
"Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God."5
Therefore implies "there was a before," a condition we must meet first. We are justified by faith, we obtain access by faith into this grace in which we stand. Such are powerful verses, and the concept Paul writes of elsewhere, a faith and grace that gives boldness to approach the throne of Grace.6 These three abide, "faith, hope, and love...," this abiding is how we enter into God's rest, there we have peace with God. I have access by faith, I stand in grace, and by this greatest testimony and hope within me, a Spirit of Adoption whereby I cry Abba Father, I have the tools needed to rule over sin.
"Therefore I implore you brothers, by the compassions of God present the bodies of you a living sacrifice..."1
Therefore, the condition before transformation is under grace present your bodies a living sacrifice. We see a correlation between Ephesians and Romans, these foundational teachings of grace, faith, justification, righteousness in Christ, this gives us a solid foundation. Then we see baptism in Romans and putting off the old man and putting on the new man in Ephesians. When Paul writes, "Finally, be empowered in the Lord and in the dominion of his might."10 we have arrived here, we have completed the conditions before.
"And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God."12
What Jonathan Edwards would realize after the Great Awakening was that love is a litmus test of true Christianity. A true Church is one that is being conformed to the image of Christ, transformed, and we get a glimpse of what this looks like in Romans 12. "Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good."12 A persecuted Church thrives because it is true, think about it, who would lay down their life for Christ, if it were not true? If we truly love Christ we enter into this reasonable service.
"Now we who have believed enter that rest"14
We can associate abiding in faith, hope, and love as entering into his rest, it is by faith, not by works, we enter. Believing is the ultimate obedience as John writes, this is his command that you believe. When I received the abundance of grace and gift of righteousness in Christ, I was obedient to enter. When He said to me on a fishing boat in Alaska, "come follow me" I was obedient. When he asked me if I would die for him three times, I said yes. When he called me to those despised, I was obedient. I find that the authority of men, the teachings and traditions of men, and the glory of men will all fail me. I find rest in Christ.
"Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls."15
Oh, rest for my soul. I find in this rest several things, the gentleness and humility of Christ, a sacrificial love of God for my justification, for my growth, and a grace to stand in. I find also the picture of his great love for me, the sacrificing of his body, in death, so that my soul may enter his rest. I am to remember this often, this communion in his death. I begin to see the picture of baptism, into the likeness of his death I am united with him in death. Think of being entombed alive, it is a scary thought, now think of being entombed with Christ. Hopefully we see the necessity of rest.
"Do you not know that as many have been baptized into Christ Jesus into his death were baptized?"16
We have established that we must stand in grace, but some would say grace is being used as a license to sin, or they would say "Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound?" Paul's response to these is, do you not understand, or are you ignorant of? have you not learned this? So those against the teachings of grace have not learned this? surely it can be clearly seen in adherence to the "letter of the law" and by its leaven, hypocrisy. But God loves them and here we begin to have understanding, in the teachings of baptism. I will return to this but lets look further at the purpose of grace.
"And as by one having sinned, is not the gift, indeed, truly judgment of the one to condemnation, but the gift, by means of many trespasses, unto justification."27
Notice, the gift (came) by means of many trespasses, unto justification. The Law increased these trespasses so the gift would abound. Without the Law we would not have received God's grace. Of course we are not under the law but under grace but we know from Paul a purpose of the Law was to keep Israel imprisoned under sin until Christ and here we see another purpose. The law revived sin, caused sin to abound, sin thrived under the law because of the weakness of the flesh. The law pointed out this weakness, sin abounded, and its wage death. However, because of the Law came the many trespasses and so came the gift, the abundance of grace and the gift of righteousness. This is the same as Paul writes of mercy coming through the disobedience of Israel.28a
"how much more will those who receive an abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man, Jesus Christ!"28
The gift came by means of many trespasses, or put another way, by one man, by one trespass, judgment came to many but the gift came for many trespasses but by one act of righteousness. The indestructible life of Christ was one act of righteousness, worthy, that justifies many trespasses. Still put another way, when sin abounded grace super abounded. "how much more did God’s grace and the gift that came by the grace of the one man, Jesus Christ, abound to the many!"29 The law exposed sin and caused sin to abound, so we can say it brought about the gift, so came the gift "by means of many trespasses, unto justification"
"For you will not rule over sin, indeed, under the law but under grace."30
Death reigned through one man, but those who receive the gift will reign in Christ. Do we see how we can reign or have dominion over sin? through the abundance of grace and the gift of righteousness. The purpose of grace is not for us to continue in sin, no we have died to sin, but to reign or have dominion or rule over sin.31 "Those who receive an abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life..." Though they were dead in trespasses and sins... God rich in mercy, because of his great love with which he loved us, made us alive together in Christ Jesus, by grace you have been saved."32
"Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with Him.33
Now, back to the living sacrifice. Now,, as Paul writes, "Do you not know that as many have been baptized into Christ Jesus into his death were baptized?"16 So the question is invited to the Church today, is it ignorant of this teaching? do we understand that we died with Christ and also live with him, or as Paul writes to the Ephesians, are we being made alive in Christ Jesus? have we put off the old man and put on the new man? I find it has been my sacrifice to understand such things, these spiritual blessings far outweigh earthly ones.
"Therefore, we were buried with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life."17
Therefore, a condition before, buried with him, "in order that" we are raised as Christ was into newness of life. This word for buried "I bury along with" to enter in company with, i.e. (figuratively) to assimilate spiritually. Present your bodies a living sacrifice, or be buried with him in death, this is your reasonable service. The principle of sowing states a seed must die before it can produce life. We can call this counting the costs, or surrendering but here we see the connection between living sacrifice and baptism. We speak of not being ignorant of understanding in this foundational teaching of baptism, not just dunking the body in water as a cleansing of the flesh but a death we enter into, for the purpose of transformation or metamorphosis.
"having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through faith in the powerful working of God, who raised him from the dead."19
In understanding transformation and that this victory doesn't come under the law, Paul writes, "In Him you were also circumcised in the putting off of your sinful nature, with the circumcision performed by Christ and not by human hands."20 We see the need for grace in putting off the sinful nature, Jesus came in the fullness of Grace and Truth.21 "For in him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily, and you have been filled in him, who is the head of all rule and authority."22 We are to be filled in the fullness of God, of grace and truth, rooted and established.
"Therefore, just as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, in him walk, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in it with thanksgiving."7
Of course we see "as you were taught" we are not to be ignorant of such. Paul writes "building up" others is the purpose of gifts in the Church. Established in grace and faith, "... God made us alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross."24 We need to understand His authority is above all else, and that we have died to the world and the Law.
"If with Christ you died to the elemental spirits of the world, why, as if you were still alive in the world, do you submit to regulations— 25 “Do not handle, Do not taste, Do not touch”
These who adhere to such are puffed up into sensual reasoning, they "pass judgment on you in questions of food and drink," not understanding "These are a shadow of the things to come, but the substance belongs to Christ." Dominion or ruling over sin doesn't come through adherence to rules and regulations, the lesson of the Law proves this. "We know that our old self was crucified with him in order that the body of sin might be brought to nothing, so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin."26
"For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his."26
I believe understanding of this living sacrifice is something we remember during communion, in his death. We should remember the sacrifice of the Lamb whose blood was shed for a new covenant, poured out for the forgiveness of sin.27 John writes this is the maturity of a child in faith. This justification by faith. “This is my body, which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.”
"And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with Him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, in order that in the coming ages He might display the surpassing riches of His grace, demonstrated by His kindness to us in Christ Jesus."30
The body of Christ was given as a living sacrifice, this is grace and agape love, that someone would lay down his life for those undeserving. Because of God's Grace, we are to have this same mindset towards others. This mindset of sacrifice is a spiritual maturity but is there a moving on to a greater maturity in Christ? While we are always being poured out as a living sacrifice, we can present our bodies a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, our reasonable service, into transformation.
"And be not conformed to this age but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, for to prove by you what is the will of God, the good and acceptable and perfect."31
True obedience comes not in a sacrificial mindset, but in the renewing of the mind. Notice the "And" at the beginning, another conditional statement, therefore by the grace of God present your bodies a living sacrifice And... The sacrificial mindset, leads me into this transformation bringing true obedience to the will of God and into life. This life is "not of the letter but of the Spirit. For the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life."32
"You were taught to put off your former way of life, your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds,"33
Here we see again the correlation between Romans and Ephesians, baptism expressed as being taught to put off the old self. Again, we are not to be ignorant of such teaching. We also see the renewing of the mind, Paul adding "spirit" of your minds. This gives us extra information into the process of transformation. "For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace."34 Paul writes, the mind is at enmity against God and can not be subject to the laws of God, thus we are released from the law to serve in the newness of the Spirit. By Spirit and Truth the mind is renewed to be subject to God, his will is acceptable then. The renewal of the mind is associated with the law of the Spirit of life.
"Indeed, if according to the flesh you live you will die, however if by the Spirit the deeds of the body you put to death, you live."1
Jesus said, we must be born from above, it is by this Spirit which raised Christ from the dead, if it raised Christ from the dead, does it not also raise us from the dead? I speak in the terms of working out my salvation; I am saved, being saved, and one day I will be saved. By the Spirit we put to death the deeds of the body. "If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you."35
"For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!”36
The law of the Spirit is life and peace, whereas the law of sin is death. A dominion we attain is over death, and its fear of punishment, this the Law had power. God's Spirit bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God and heirs, this sealing of the Holy Spirit is a guarantee of the inheritance we have obtained in Christ. "and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him."37 This word for suffering, to experience pain jointly or of the same kind (specially, persecution; to "sympathize") -- suffer with. This ower is being perfected in weakness.
"For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his."37
Before we can be united in his death, we must not be ignorant, we must understand, personally know. "We know that our old self was crucified with him in order that the body of sin might be brought to nothing, so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin."38 This word for know is ginṓskō – properly, to know, especially through personal experience (first-hand acquaintance.) It is the renewing of the mind, as the mind often requires meditation, repetition. This fits with the idea of freedom we receive in the truth.
“If you abide in My word then truly you are My disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”39
My scientific mind likes conditional sentences like these, easy to apply truth logic. If this and that then this. We can combine the conditions; If abide and know and freedom then a disciple. Or if disciple then know and abide and freedom. All conditions must be true for a true statement. If know then freedom is not a true statement. The process of renewing of the mind, includes processing of information into temporary, short term, and long term memory based upon memorization, repetition, meditation... When we add faith and revelation by the Holy Spirit we have divine understanding, or personal knowing, ginṓskō. Our minds are at enmity thus persistent is an important concept here; seek, ask, knock...
"Indeed, if united we have become in the likeness of his death, certainly also of the resurrection we will be."40
This word for united is from sun "with" and phuo "grow up, spring up."; grown along with; i.e. (figuratively) closely united to -- planted together. Some translation say entombed with Christ. We see the correlation between baptism and metamorphosis. Metamorphosis can be seen in a caterpillar going into a cocoon and being transformed into a butterfly. Being buried or entombed with Christ can be seen as the cocoon phase of metamorphosis. The germination of seed can be seen also as metamorphosis, and the principle of the seed states the seed dies to grow. One must "enter into his rest" to enter into this cocoon of transformation. It is also seen as a yoking to Christ.
In germination the seed only needs water and food. We must eat his flesh and drink his blood, Word and Spirit. We are grown along with, united with him in death as we are being raised into newness of life. Some seed "spring up" and die having no water.41Others spring up and are choked out by weeds planted by the devil.42 Others fall on good soil and spring up producing fruit.43 Jesus explains, some the devil snatches away, as prophesied, "You will be ever hearing but never understanding; you will be ever seeing but never perceiving," others are not rooted, and their fruit doesn't mature. But the good soil are those who hear and understand.44
"I want to know Christ and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to Him in His death,"45
Paul builds upon this, to "be found in Him, not having my own righteousness from the Law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God on the basis of faith."46 His grace is sufficient as in weakness his power is being perfected. Through this weakness, "the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to Him in His death." And for what purpose? "that by any means I may attain to the resurrection out of the dead."47 This word for attain means "meet face to face"48 I see dimly but one day I will see face to face.
"Now we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this surpassingly great power is from God and not from us."49
Paul writes we are "always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies. For we who are alive are always consigned to death for Jesus’ sake, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our mortal bodies. So then, death is at work in us, but life is at work in you."50 It is amazing the life of Paul, it is a picture of participating in the sufferings of Christ and in His death. Pressed but not crushed, perplexed but not despaired, persecuted but not forsaken, struck down but not destroyed.51 Some participate more in suffering, so that life may be at work in others.
"So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal"52
O Praise The Name
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 sin nature, however, I am in an un-glorified body where sin dwells. Thus to rule over sin I must rule over the flesh, and I will not do this by adhering to rules and regulations of "do not taste, touch , nor handle," no, these are of little help in the battle over the flesh, but I by the compassions of God (under grace) present my body a living sacrifice. I will stand in grace and rejoice in hope.
"Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God."5
Therefore implies "there was a before," a condition we must meet first. We are justified by faith, we obtain access by faith into this grace in which we stand. Such are powerful verses, and the concept Paul writes of elsewhere, a faith and grace that gives boldness to approach the throne of Grace.6 These three abide, "faith, hope, and love...," this abiding is how we enter into God's rest, there we have peace with God. I have access by faith, I stand in grace, and by this greatest testimony and hope within me, a Spirit of Adoption whereby I cry Abba Father, I have the tools needed to rule over sin.
"Therefore I implore you brothers, by the compassions of God present the bodies of you a living sacrifice..."1
Therefore, the condition before transformation is under grace present your bodies a living sacrifice. We see a correlation between Ephesians and Romans, these foundational teachings of grace, faith, justification, righteousness in Christ, this gives us a solid foundation. Then we see baptism in Romans and putting off the old man and putting on the new man in Ephesians. When Paul writes, "Finally, be empowered in the Lord and in the dominion of his might."10 we have arrived here, we have completed the conditions before.
"And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God."12
What Jonathan Edwards would realize after the Great Awakening was that love is a litmus test of true Christianity. A true Church is one that is being conformed to the image of Christ, transformed, and we get a glimpse of what this looks like in Romans 12. "Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good."12 A persecuted Church thrives because it is true, think about it, who would lay down their life for Christ, if it were not true? If we truly love Christ we enter into this reasonable service.
"Now we who have believed enter that rest"14
We can associate abiding in faith, hope, and love as entering into his rest, it is by faith, not by works, we enter. Believing is the ultimate obedience as John writes, this is his command that you believe. When I received the abundance of grace and gift of righteousness in Christ, I was obedient to enter. When He said to me on a fishing boat in Alaska, "come follow me" I was obedient. When he asked me if I would die for him three times, I said yes. When he called me to those despised, I was obedient. I find that the authority of men, the teachings and traditions of men, and the glory of men will all fail me. I find rest in Christ.
"Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls."15
Oh, rest for my soul. I find in this rest several things, the gentleness and humility of Christ, a sacrificial love of God for my justification, for my growth, and a grace to stand in. I find also the picture of his great love for me, the sacrificing of his body, in death, so that my soul may enter his rest. I am to remember this often, this communion in his death. I begin to see the picture of baptism, into the likeness of his death I am united with him in death. Think of being entombed alive, it is a scary thought, now think of being entombed with Christ. Hopefully we see the necessity of rest.
"Do you not know that as many have been baptized into Christ Jesus into his death were baptized?"16
We have established that we must stand in grace, but some would say grace is being used as a license to sin, or they would say "Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound?" Paul's response to these is, do you not understand, or are you ignorant of? have you not learned this? So those against the teachings of grace have not learned this? surely it can be clearly seen in adherence to the "letter of the law" and by its leaven, hypocrisy. But God loves them and here we begin to have understanding, in the teachings of baptism. I will return to this but lets look further at the purpose of grace.
"And as by one having sinned, is not the gift, indeed, truly judgment of the one to condemnation, but the gift, by means of many trespasses, unto justification."27
Notice, the gift (came) by means of many trespasses, unto justification. The Law increased these trespasses so the gift would abound. Without the Law we would not have received God's grace. Of course we are not under the law but under grace but we know from Paul a purpose of the Law was to keep Israel imprisoned under sin until Christ and here we see another purpose. The law revived sin, caused sin to abound, sin thrived under the law because of the weakness of the flesh. The law pointed out this weakness, sin abounded, and its wage death. However, because of the Law came the many trespasses and so came the gift, the abundance of grace and the gift of righteousness. This is the same as Paul writes of mercy coming through the disobedience of Israel.28a
"how much more will those who receive an abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man, Jesus Christ!"28
The gift came by means of many trespasses, or put another way, by one man, by one trespass, judgment came to many but the gift came for many trespasses but by one act of righteousness. The indestructible life of Christ was one act of righteousness, worthy, that justifies many trespasses. Still put another way, when sin abounded grace super abounded. "how much more did God’s grace and the gift that came by the grace of the one man, Jesus Christ, abound to the many!"29 The law exposed sin and caused sin to abound, so we can say it brought about the gift, so came the gift "by means of many trespasses, unto justification"
"For you will not rule over sin, indeed, under the law but under grace."30
Death reigned through one man, but those who receive the gift will reign in Christ. Do we see how we can reign or have dominion over sin? through the abundance of grace and the gift of righteousness. The purpose of grace is not for us to continue in sin, no we have died to sin, but to reign or have dominion or rule over sin.31 "Those who receive an abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life..." Though they were dead in trespasses and sins... God rich in mercy, because of his great love with which he loved us, made us alive together in Christ Jesus, by grace you have been saved."32
"Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with Him.33
Now, back to the living sacrifice. Now,, as Paul writes, "Do you not know that as many have been baptized into Christ Jesus into his death were baptized?"16 So the question is invited to the Church today, is it ignorant of this teaching? do we understand that we died with Christ and also live with him, or as Paul writes to the Ephesians, are we being made alive in Christ Jesus? have we put off the old man and put on the new man? I find it has been my sacrifice to understand such things, these spiritual blessings far outweigh earthly ones.
"Therefore, we were buried with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life."17
Therefore, a condition before, buried with him, "in order that" we are raised as Christ was into newness of life. This word for buried "I bury along with" to enter in company with, i.e. (figuratively) to assimilate spiritually. Present your bodies a living sacrifice, or be buried with him in death, this is your reasonable service. The principle of sowing states a seed must die before it can produce life. We can call this counting the costs, or surrendering but here we see the connection between living sacrifice and baptism. We speak of not being ignorant of understanding in this foundational teaching of baptism, not just dunking the body in water as a cleansing of the flesh but a death we enter into, for the purpose of transformation or metamorphosis.
"having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through faith in the powerful working of God, who raised him from the dead."19
In understanding transformation and that this victory doesn't come under the law, Paul writes, "In Him you were also circumcised in the putting off of your sinful nature, with the circumcision performed by Christ and not by human hands."20 We see the need for grace in putting off the sinful nature, Jesus came in the fullness of Grace and Truth.21 "For in him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily, and you have been filled in him, who is the head of all rule and authority."22 We are to be filled in the fullness of God, of grace and truth, rooted and established.
"Therefore, just as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, in him walk, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in it with thanksgiving."7
Of course we see "as you were taught" we are not to be ignorant of such. Paul writes "building up" others is the purpose of gifts in the Church. Established in grace and faith, "... God made us alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross."24 We need to understand His authority is above all else, and that we have died to the world and the Law.
"If with Christ you died to the elemental spirits of the world, why, as if you were still alive in the world, do you submit to regulations— 25 “Do not handle, Do not taste, Do not touch”
These who adhere to such are puffed up into sensual reasoning, they "pass judgment on you in questions of food and drink," not understanding "These are a shadow of the things to come, but the substance belongs to Christ." Dominion or ruling over sin doesn't come through adherence to rules and regulations, the lesson of the Law proves this. "We know that our old self was crucified with him in order that the body of sin might be brought to nothing, so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin."26
"For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his."26
I believe understanding of this living sacrifice is something we remember during communion, in his death. We should remember the sacrifice of the Lamb whose blood was shed for a new covenant, poured out for the forgiveness of sin.27 John writes this is the maturity of a child in faith. This justification by faith. “This is my body, which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.”
"And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with Him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, in order that in the coming ages He might display the surpassing riches of His grace, demonstrated by His kindness to us in Christ Jesus."30
The body of Christ was given as a living sacrifice, this is grace and agape love, that someone would lay down his life for those undeserving. Because of God's Grace, we are to have this same mindset towards others. This mindset of sacrifice is a spiritual maturity but is there a moving on to a greater maturity in Christ? While we are always being poured out as a living sacrifice, we can present our bodies a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, our reasonable service, into transformation.
"And be not conformed to this age but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, for to prove by you what is the will of God, the good and acceptable and perfect."31
True obedience comes not in a sacrificial mindset, but in the renewing of the mind. Notice the "And" at the beginning, another conditional statement, therefore by the grace of God present your bodies a living sacrifice And... The sacrificial mindset, leads me into this transformation bringing true obedience to the will of God and into life. This life is "not of the letter but of the Spirit. For the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life."32
"You were taught to put off your former way of life, your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds,"33
Here we see again the correlation between Romans and Ephesians, baptism expressed as being taught to put off the old self. Again, we are not to be ignorant of such teaching. We also see the renewing of the mind, Paul adding "spirit" of your minds. This gives us extra information into the process of transformation. "For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace."34 Paul writes, the mind is at enmity against God and can not be subject to the laws of God, thus we are released from the law to serve in the newness of the Spirit. By Spirit and Truth the mind is renewed to be subject to God, his will is acceptable then. The renewal of the mind is associated with the law of the Spirit of life.
"Indeed, if according to the flesh you live you will die, however if by the Spirit the deeds of the body you put to death, you live."1
Jesus said, we must be born from above, it is by this Spirit which raised Christ from the dead, if it raised Christ from the dead, does it not also raise us from the dead? I speak in the terms of working out my salvation; I am saved, being saved, and one day I will be saved. By the Spirit we put to death the deeds of the body. "If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you."35
"For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!”36
The law of the Spirit is life and peace, whereas the law of sin is death. A dominion we attain is over death, and its fear of punishment, this the Law had power. God's Spirit bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God and heirs, this sealing of the Holy Spirit is a guarantee of the inheritance we have obtained in Christ. "and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him."37 This word for suffering, to experience pain jointly or of the same kind (specially, persecution; to "sympathize") -- suffer with. This ower is being perfected in weakness.
"For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his."37
Before we can be united in his death, we must not be ignorant, we must understand, personally know. "We know that our old self was crucified with him in order that the body of sin might be brought to nothing, so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin."38 This word for know is ginṓskō – properly, to know, especially through personal experience (first-hand acquaintance.) It is the renewing of the mind, as the mind often requires meditation, repetition. This fits with the idea of freedom we receive in the truth.
“If you abide in My word then truly you are My disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”39
My scientific mind likes conditional sentences like these, easy to apply truth logic. If this and that then this. We can combine the conditions; If abide and know and freedom then a disciple. Or if disciple then know and abide and freedom. All conditions must be true for a true statement. If know then freedom is not a true statement. The process of renewing of the mind, includes processing of information into temporary, short term, and long term memory based upon memorization, repetition, meditation... When we add faith and revelation by the Holy Spirit we have divine understanding, or personal knowing, ginṓskō. Our minds are at enmity thus persistent is an important concept here; seek, ask, knock...
"Indeed, if united we have become in the likeness of his death, certainly also of the resurrection we will be."40
This word for united is from sun "with" and phuo "grow up, spring up."; grown along with; i.e. (figuratively) closely united to -- planted together. Some translation say entombed with Christ. We see the correlation between baptism and metamorphosis. Metamorphosis can be seen in a caterpillar going into a cocoon and being transformed into a butterfly. Being buried or entombed with Christ can be seen as the cocoon phase of metamorphosis. The germination of seed can be seen also as metamorphosis, and the principle of the seed states the seed dies to grow. One must "enter into his rest" to enter into this cocoon of transformation. It is also seen as a yoking to Christ.
‘Though seeing, they do not see; though hearing, they do not hear or understand."41
In germination the seed only needs water and food. We must eat his flesh and drink his blood, Word and Spirit. We are grown along with, united with him in death as we are being raised into newness of life. Some seed "spring up" and die having no water.41Others spring up and are choked out by weeds planted by the devil.42 Others fall on good soil and spring up producing fruit.43 Jesus explains, some the devil snatches away, as prophesied, "You will be ever hearing but never understanding; you will be ever seeing but never perceiving," others are not rooted, and their fruit doesn't mature. But the good soil are those who hear and understand.44
"I want to know Christ and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to Him in His death,"45
Paul builds upon this, to "be found in Him, not having my own righteousness from the Law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God on the basis of faith."46 His grace is sufficient as in weakness his power is being perfected. Through this weakness, "the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to Him in His death." And for what purpose? "that by any means I may attain to the resurrection out of the dead."47 This word for attain means "meet face to face"48 I see dimly but one day I will see face to face.
"Now we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this surpassingly great power is from God and not from us."49
Paul writes we are "always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies. For we who are alive are always consigned to death for Jesus’ sake, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our mortal bodies. So then, death is at work in us, but life is at work in you."50 It is amazing the life of Paul, it is a picture of participating in the sufferings of Christ and in His death. Pressed but not crushed, perplexed but not despaired, persecuted but not forsaken, struck down but not destroyed.51 Some participate more in suffering, so that life may be at work in others.
"So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal"52
O Praise The Name