Now, if the Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead lives in you, the one raising Christ from the dead also makes alive that your mortal bodies through his Spirit the one living in you.*
What does it mean that the same power raising Christ raises us up? What does it mean to be made alive? We can teach our children to memorize the books of the Bibles, and such is not wrong, but what good is such if they do not know and grow in knowledge of the Son? If we neglect a true foundation we deny them the very things needed for godliness and life. What good is a law abiding child if there is no Life? If they do not have faith, hope, and love then our children will be unfruitful in the things of God, no matter what knowledge they have. If they do not have Life through the Son then we are to be pitied. And how can they be taught when we do not know ourselves? Oh, what manner of love the Father has bestowed upon us to be called children of God, and if children so we exist! If the same power raising Jesus from the dead lives in us, then also we are being raised into newness of life.
All for me but not all for my benefit, all for me but I am not overpowered by any... Now, God also raised the Lord and is raising us through his power.*
The same word for overpower Jesus used to say the rulers of the world exercise authority over. This type of ruling over, exercising authority is not how the kingdom of God operates. We follow our Lord Jesus, not kings and lords. "For the Law was given through Moses, Grace and Truth came in Jesus Christ."* Who do you follow? The Law was given to a man, but God sent his Son to give us His words, and not just some commands to obey but His words exist eternal life. The Word of God became flesh and many did not receive the words of Life but to those who did He gives the power to become children of God. If I go back again to the Law Paul writes I submit myself to a yoke of slavery, "for freedom Christ has set you free, stand firm therefore and do not subject again to a yoke of slavery."* Submit to just one requirement of the Law like tithing, and now you are obligated to the follow the entire Law and Christ will be of no benefit to you.* In regards to being raised by his power into newness of life, what is beneficial to us?
Now, at the present released from the law, having died to that which detained us so that we serve in newness of the Spirit, and not the old way of written code.*
A church that doesn't understand the service of grace is not being raised into newness of Life as these do it in confidence of the flesh, not through the Spirit. "So that my brothers you also die to the Law through the body of Christ to the extent you come into existence of the other, the one raised from the dead so that you bear fruit of God."* Who will bear fruit of God? those under grace through being a new creation, through the power of God's Spirit they will be raised into newness of Life. These are led by the Spirit. The Church of Galatia fell from grace, they started in the Spirit but went back to the Law, Paul writes they were not led by the Spirit. This is profound, they could be children starting off in the Spirit or they could not be. Here is fruit we can judge by, if they went back to the Law, they are not led by the Spirit. "Now, if led by the Spirit exist not under Law."* How can you judge a plant by fruit if it is not mature? or wheat from the tare? If they went back under the Law they are either immature or not children of God, "for the ones led by the Spirit of God, these exist sons of God."*
I am writing these things so you are not led astray, And the anointing you received from Him abides in you and you have no need that any teach you, but as His anointing teaches you about all things and exists true and not a lie, also just as teaching you, abide in Him.*
The victory is through faith, and the words of Jesus increase our faith, raising us out of unbelief, until we are fully convinced of the promises of God. It is why abiding is important, one will not bear fruit without it, as in the words of Jesus our faith increases so we rule over sin and over evil. This is how we know the Spirit of truth from a spirit of error, the Holy Spirit will not lead you astray but teaches us to abide in His words. And to enter into our true reasonable service and high calling, to become holy like Jesus. Those led by Holy Spirit are not under Law but under grace and are led into sanctification which outcome is Life. To abide in His words, this is the way to holiness, and how to present the body a living sacrifice.
And he said to me, 'my grace is sufficient for you for my power is fulfilled in weakness,' therefore most willingly I boast in my weakness in order that the power of Christ dwells on me.*
The Law was spiritual and holy but it was weak through the flesh, Paul writes. He also writes we will rule over sin under grace not the Law. The law of faith tells us of a righteousness apart from works of the Law, being justified freely by grace through faith. You don't do way with a law without another in its place so we have the law of faith, and the law of faith doesn't nullify the Mosaic Law but fulfills it. How can Paul write those led by the Spirit are not under the Law but Jesus says things like, "I tell you the truth, as much as heaven and earth pass away, not the least neither minutest part will pass from the Law until all comes into existence."* In Luke we read, "exists easy, now that heaven and earth pass away than the minutest part of the Law falls away."* We would seem to have a contradiction, but the word of God doesn't contradict itself. We have understanding through revelation, and it is helpful when we look at the meaning of the Greek words and in context of the whole of scripture.
The grass wherewith, the flower fades: but the word of God shall stand for ever.*
How can one do the will of God? First, one must be a new creation, born anew, from above, of the Spirit. Jesus said, what is flesh is flesh, and what is Spirit is Spirit, "I tell you the solemn truth unless a person is born from above, exist not of the kingdom of God."* Secondly, what is beneficial is faith energized through love. The seed of God, of righteousness, of Spirit, of Word, of Life, planted in the child will grow deep roots and grow up, increase, faith energized in agape love. Now, watch out for the weed workers of the devil, "watch out for those dogs, those harmful workers, those mutilators of the flesh!"* They are enemies of the cross.* What is a dog? the true things of God to them are like giving pearls to pigs, not beneficial. What is a harmful worker? They are the weeds planted by the devil, to choke out, who insist on doctrine, of demons, that toss to and fro, keeping you from growing up. What is a mutilator of the flesh? those who require us to be circumcised of the flesh, it is of benefit to them as they boast in making disciples of the flesh, but it is not beneficial to you in regards to godliness and life. The doctrines they introduce are living to laws, rules, and regulations, tithing, serving and sacrificing in the temple... things that do mature in Christ. But do not let anyone judge you in respect to food and drink, religious festivals, Sabbath days, nor let them insist on self-abasement of the flesh, living to elemental principles of do not touch, taste, handle... nor worship of angels, visions, being puffed up in empty notions by earthly thinking, as these do not hold fast to Jesus.*
circumcision is nothing and uncircumcision is nothing but keeping God's commands.*
Lastly, what is beneficial is keeping God's commands or doing the will of God. What commands? The Law came through Moses, but grace and truth came through Jesus. Truth in love we grow up into Him. And more, Jesus is the living bread, word of Life, so all those feeding on Him have eternal life. This is beneficial. Jesus gave a new commandment to love one another and told us to judge those who claim to be mature by their fruit. Judge in regards to obedience to Jesus by their fruit of loving one another. The Father sent the Word of Life to us, Jesus, so the commands we obey are not the handwriting on tablets of stone but the implanted Word of God, written on the heart by the Spirit. Under the Law the carnal mind could not submit, do the will of God but those born of Spirit have power to do so. These are led by the Spirit to abide in His words, to enter a reasonable service, to be transformed, the renewing of your mind, so to have the mind of Christ. Therefore, "the righteous requirement of the Law is fulfilled in us who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.* We want the things of God that are beneficial, for godliness and life.
For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision strengthens any but faith energized through love.*
What is the victory that overcomes the world? faith.* And faith without love is dead. Faith energized through love has great benefit. The child of God John writes knows the Father and that his sins are forgiven, he has testimony of Spirit and blood. He is rooted and grounded in faith and love.* By abiding he will grow up to overcome the world. Who is the ruler of this world? the devil. How do we overcome the devil? we become strong as the word of God abides in us. The words of Jesus increase our faith, and thus we overcome the evil one. Abiding in the words of Jesus transforms, producing the fruit of obedience. It is not about keeping written commandments, no, this dividing wall was adverse to us, this Jesus nailed to the cross.*
For He is our peace, the one making us both one, also having taken down the dividing wall in his flesh, the hostility, the law of commandments and regulations so to create in Himself one new man, from the two making peace.*
It is not about keeping written commandments, but it is about holiness, presenting the body a living sacrifice, holy, the sacrifice acceptable to God. This is our reasonable service. and our high calling. Transformation during this service will renew the mind to produce a mind that accepts the will of God as perfect. It is about doing the will of God and thus grace reigning through righteousness, as the one born of God, the seed of righteousness abides in him, and the Spirit is life through righteousness, thus he will grow up to bear fruit of righteousness. So what is our motivation? Fear of punishment? No, we are being perfected in love, truth in love, and we are being raised into Life, through the Spirit and the Word of Life. Faith energized through love, the ministry of righteousness, and of the Spirit is beneficial to us.
so that according to the riches of his glory, he grants to you, strength, power, through His Spirit in your inner being, Christ dwelling in your hearts through faith, rooted and grounded in love...*
For sin rules not, ruling over you, since you exist not under the Law but under grace.*
If I go back to the Law I fall from grace and will not rule over sin. "Now, if you are led by the Spirit, existing not under the Law."* Do you see the Galatia church? The Galatians started out in power of the Spirit, but went back to the flesh, they went back to a works justification of the Law thus fell from grace, severing themselves from Christ, and did not rule over sin. Ruling over sin is under grace as it is God's power at work. "Not knowing no one is justified from works of the Law but through faith in Jesus Christ... for if I build up again those things tore down I demonstrate I am a lawbreaker. For through the Law I died to the Law so that living to God, crucified with Christ, now I no longer live but Christ lives in me, I at the present live in the flesh, living in faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. I do not nullify the grace of God, for if righteousness came through the Law then Christ died for nothing!"* If I build back what Christ tore down, the Law, I am a lawbreaker? And the temple which was an integral part of the Law if I build it back I am a lawbreaker? The veil was torn in the temple when Jesus died on the cross, but literally the temple was tore down as Jesus prophesied would happen.* Should not this be sufficient evidence of the end of the covenant of the Law and its temple, the sacrificing that did not eternally forgive sin and its serving that did perfect men? And who will sit on a throne in the new temple? but Christ, the judge and lawgiver, the One I am bound in a promised covenant with an inheritance in a promised land, in whom the Spirit is a pledge.
In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the pledge of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory.*
Do we see how we can fall from grace, going back to a covenant that did not perfect men? And do not such people who do not only live in the flesh but sever themselves from Christ? And disobedience to the Law had judgement without mercy condemning on account of two or three witnesses, how much deserving are those "?"* Is this applicable to "using grace as a license to sin" or to those who fall from grace going back to the Law? Or both? Surely Paul mostly addresses the larger issue of falling from grace, going back to the Law and to deceitful doctrines that do not perfect nor mature, keeping us children. Thus the reasonable service and main purpose of the church brings maturity, "until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God, as we mature to the full measure of the stature of Christ. Then we will no longer be infants, tossed about by the waves..."* When a Church falls short of the grace of God, many will be defiled by a root of bitterness.* The bitterness of unjust judging that causes a brother to stumble? A mindset that judges by the Law, judging by laws. Judging that says God punishes evil and rewards good, thus the rich of this earth God is rewarding, such a mind keeps them from maturity as James writes.* Being justified by works of the Law they will also judge and teach the Law, and these will despise mercy and grace. Grace is not a license to sin but a platform, to stand upon having access to by faith.* Grace is a service to us so that God's power raises us into newness of Life.
This is My blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.*
Can I be under the new covenant and the covenant of circumcision of the flesh at the same time? or be under both Grace and the Law? Under the Law and of Spirit? "But a Jew is the one inward, and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God."* Do we see the letter will not pass away from the Law, and the fulfillment of the righteous requirements of the Law being fulfilled through those led by the Spirit, God writing his laws on our hearts and minds? If I am born of God I am a partaker of His divine nature, no longer a slave to sin but indebted to righteousness. Paul writes he delighted inwardly in the laws of God.* He agrees with the Law as he is now spiritual, he can fulfill the Law. But he finds another principle, that evil is near and sin dwells in his flesh.* Evil wars against his mind to bring him into captivity to the flesh so he has no power to practice the truth, that which is his new inward nature.
My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is perfected in weakness.*
Sufficient means its a service to us, it wards off any attempts for us to find perfection, maturity through fleshly means. If you go back to circumcision of the flesh, or adhering to the Torah, you leaven the whole lump, and if you take one thing of the Law like tithing then you are required to adhere to the whole Law.* And more, you submit to a yoke of slavery. "For we exist the true circumcision, the ones worshiping in the Spirit of God and boast in Christ also having no confidence in the flesh."* So the question becomes what is beneficial to the ones worshiping in truth, in the Spirit of God?
We are buried with Him in baptism into His death, the old self has been crucified with him, so we have died to sin. But also "having died to that which detained us" this speaks of being released from the Law, the written commandments. The law of faith tells us such, a righteousness a part from works of the Law, we are justified by faith, according to grace. And what is the service of grace? that His grace is sufficient for what? that his power is being perfected in our weakness, that the power of Christ abides in me.* The same power that raised Jesus from the dead. Do you understand why it is important that we are not under Law?
who also us made sufficient servants of a new covenant, not of the letter, but of the Spirit, for the letter kills, yea, the Spirit gives life.*
What does it mean that the same power raising Christ raises us up? What does it mean to be made alive? We can teach our children to memorize the books of the Bibles, and such is not wrong, but what good is such if they do not know and grow in knowledge of the Son? If we neglect a true foundation we deny them the very things needed for godliness and life. What good is a law abiding child if there is no Life? If they do not have faith, hope, and love then our children will be unfruitful in the things of God, no matter what knowledge they have. If they do not have Life through the Son then we are to be pitied. And how can they be taught when we do not know ourselves? Oh, what manner of love the Father has bestowed upon us to be called children of God, and if children so we exist! If the same power raising Jesus from the dead lives in us, then also we are being raised into newness of life.
All for me but not all for my benefit, all for me but I am not overpowered by any... Now, God also raised the Lord and is raising us through his power.*
The same word for overpower Jesus used to say the rulers of the world exercise authority over. This type of ruling over, exercising authority is not how the kingdom of God operates. We follow our Lord Jesus, not kings and lords. "For the Law was given through Moses, Grace and Truth came in Jesus Christ."* Who do you follow? The Law was given to a man, but God sent his Son to give us His words, and not just some commands to obey but His words exist eternal life. The Word of God became flesh and many did not receive the words of Life but to those who did He gives the power to become children of God. If I go back again to the Law Paul writes I submit myself to a yoke of slavery, "for freedom Christ has set you free, stand firm therefore and do not subject again to a yoke of slavery."* Submit to just one requirement of the Law like tithing, and now you are obligated to the follow the entire Law and Christ will be of no benefit to you.* In regards to being raised by his power into newness of life, what is beneficial to us?
Now, at the present released from the law, having died to that which detained us so that we serve in newness of the Spirit, and not the old way of written code.*
A church that doesn't understand the service of grace is not being raised into newness of Life as these do it in confidence of the flesh, not through the Spirit. "So that my brothers you also die to the Law through the body of Christ to the extent you come into existence of the other, the one raised from the dead so that you bear fruit of God."* Who will bear fruit of God? those under grace through being a new creation, through the power of God's Spirit they will be raised into newness of Life. These are led by the Spirit. The Church of Galatia fell from grace, they started in the Spirit but went back to the Law, Paul writes they were not led by the Spirit. This is profound, they could be children starting off in the Spirit or they could not be. Here is fruit we can judge by, if they went back to the Law, they are not led by the Spirit. "Now, if led by the Spirit exist not under Law."* How can you judge a plant by fruit if it is not mature? or wheat from the tare? If they went back under the Law they are either immature or not children of God, "for the ones led by the Spirit of God, these exist sons of God."*
I am writing these things so you are not led astray, And the anointing you received from Him abides in you and you have no need that any teach you, but as His anointing teaches you about all things and exists true and not a lie, also just as teaching you, abide in Him.*
The victory is through faith, and the words of Jesus increase our faith, raising us out of unbelief, until we are fully convinced of the promises of God. It is why abiding is important, one will not bear fruit without it, as in the words of Jesus our faith increases so we rule over sin and over evil. This is how we know the Spirit of truth from a spirit of error, the Holy Spirit will not lead you astray but teaches us to abide in His words. And to enter into our true reasonable service and high calling, to become holy like Jesus. Those led by Holy Spirit are not under Law but under grace and are led into sanctification which outcome is Life. To abide in His words, this is the way to holiness, and how to present the body a living sacrifice.
And he said to me, 'my grace is sufficient for you for my power is fulfilled in weakness,' therefore most willingly I boast in my weakness in order that the power of Christ dwells on me.*
The Law was spiritual and holy but it was weak through the flesh, Paul writes. He also writes we will rule over sin under grace not the Law. The law of faith tells us of a righteousness apart from works of the Law, being justified freely by grace through faith. You don't do way with a law without another in its place so we have the law of faith, and the law of faith doesn't nullify the Mosaic Law but fulfills it. How can Paul write those led by the Spirit are not under the Law but Jesus says things like, "I tell you the truth, as much as heaven and earth pass away, not the least neither minutest part will pass from the Law until all comes into existence."* In Luke we read, "exists easy, now that heaven and earth pass away than the minutest part of the Law falls away."* We would seem to have a contradiction, but the word of God doesn't contradict itself. We have understanding through revelation, and it is helpful when we look at the meaning of the Greek words and in context of the whole of scripture.
The grass wherewith, the flower fades: but the word of God shall stand for ever.*
Truly, Jesus is the Word of God, so what He say is more important than what Moses said? Moses gave bread that perishes but Jesus the bread from heaven gives everlasting Life. The glory of God through Moses was veiled but the glory of God in Jesus is not. The old was a shadow of things to come into existence and under Moses they were held under a guardian until Christ. In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth, in the beginning was the Word of God, who was with God and was God, who created all things that exist, who became flesh and dwelt among men.* Jesus said, "heaven and earth will pass away, now, that my words, not one passes away."* The Law will pass away but not His words. What did the word of God say in regards to the Law? Jesus said, "upon these two commandments depends the whole Law and the prophets."* What is the smallest and minutest part of the Law? The curse of the Law said if you break one small part you break it all. How can we sum up the Law? The ten commandments pointed to loving God and your neighbor. Would not the smallest and minutest part of the Law actually be the greatest, summed up as to love God and as the one like it, to love your brother? Jesus said this is reflected in how we judge others, how we measure others, thus it will be measured back, this is reaping and sowing based upon how we treat others.
therefore whatever willing others to practice towards you, practice also to them for this is the Law and the prophets.*
A command existed in the beginning as John writes, Cain rule over sin crouched at your door, love your brother. Jesus gives this as a new command. God is love and how can we say we love God in whom we have not seen and not love our brother, in whom God dwells, who we have seen? It is profound to think about. Those who do not love the brethren are not of God and those who judge according to the Law without mercy will not receive mercy. The stone the builders rejected has become the foundation stone, wisdom has built her house upon Jesus, who is head of the Church, that built upon the prophets and apostles. Notice, it does not say the Church is built upon the Law. For no one can lay a foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ.* This is the mystery the prophets got to look into, and that God planned in the beginning, the promise of inheritance coming through Jesus and the manifold wisdom of God revealed through the Church, upon a new covenant in His blood, which is the promised covenant. Paul writes the gospel was preached to Abraham beforehand, the promise given before the covenant of circumcision and the Mosaic Law. The promise is based upon faith according to grace, not the Law.
... not the least letter neither stroke of ink will pass from the Law until all comes into existence.*
Until what comes into existence? Is Jesus saying not the minutest part of the Law will pass away until heaven and earth passes away? Or "until all comes into existence" speaking of a new covenant in His blood? We have come to the cornerstone, to a living stone being built up into a new spiritual temple unto the Lord. We do not forfeit the grace of God nor sell our inheritance like Esau, who wanted to inherit the blessing according to the Law, the first born, but was rejected. For we do not draw near groping after, as a person in the dark, "nor to a blazing fire and darkness and gloom and a whirlwind and to the blast of a trumpet and sounds of words which made those who heard it beg for no further message be given to them, for they could not endure the orders give to them for even a wild animal draws near the mountain it was stoned. And so fearful was the spectacle even Moses said, 'I am frightened and terrified."* This is how they drew near to God under the Law, they were vessels of His wrath.Why? so that in Christ we exist vessels of His mercy, drawing near to God through a new covenant in Christ.
On the contrary, you draw near to Mount Zion, the city of a living God, the heavenly Jerusalem and to innumerable angels to a joyful assembly and to the assembly of the firstborn inscribed in heaven and to God the judge of all and the spirits of the righteous made perfect and to Jesus mediator of a new covenant and to the sprinkled blood more effective than the blood of Abel.*
Is there a new Jerusalem in heaven now? Does this not imply Mount Zion is in heaven also? And if the Law can pass away when heaven and earth passes, will there be a Mosaic Law in heaven? No, there will be Christ, who as James says is the only lawgiver. And does not in the Temple of this new heaven exist Jesus our eternal High Priest? Paul writes we are as living stone being built up a spiritual temple, "In Him the whole building is fitted together and grows into a holy temple in the Lord." In fact as Paul writes, our spirits now sit in the heavenlies with Christ Jesus. So my true identity is of Spirit, not flesh, thus we who are spiritual have the power to fulfill the spiritual laws of God. And will not the heavenly Jerusalem descend to earth? And is this not the God we draw near to? the heavenly assembly of the first born where Jesus is preeminent in all things. Not in fearful dread as those under the Law, vessels of a wrathful God, no, but in joyful assembly of the firstborn. Is not Christ the firstborn, first-fruit of a new creation, and are we not fruit, co-heirs with Christ, a new creation? And is this not the hope we have in Christ, that one day we will be like Him? resurrected into fullness of Life. Without such hope we are to be pitied. What new creation is this? unless it is a heavenly one and a heavenly Jerusalem exists? The place Christ said he was going to prepare a place for those who love God?
Consequently, at the present, no condemnation, the ones in Christ Jesus. For the Spirit of Life in Christ has set you free from the Law of sin and death. For what the Law could not do, weak through the flesh, God sending His Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and as a sin offering condemned sin in the flesh, so that the righteous requirement of the Law be fulfilled in us who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.*
If one is born of Spirit these are led by and exist not under the Law, therefore there is no judgment and condemnation of the Law. The Law was weak through the flesh thus it was a ministry of death and condemnation, engraved in letters of stone.* Remember what Jesus said, "not the least letter neither stroke of ink will pass from the Law until all comes into existence."* Paul writes the church was a written letter, written not in ink but the Spirit, "you yourselves exist our letter, written on the hearts, known and read by all people, knowing that you are a letter of Christ delivered by us, written not in ink but the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of fleshly hearts."* The new covenant is not a ministry of death and condemnation, but of righteousness and of the Spirit. This is the ministry of the Spirit Jeremiah prophesied of, "the covenant God would make... I will put My law in their minds and inscribe it on their hearts. And I will be their God, and they will be My people."* It is a ministry of Spirit, a better hope which we draw near through, a new covenant in His blood. Jesus condemned sin in the flesh, how? And how can we obey the spiritual laws of God? through the Spirit. Jesus gave us the ability to become children, born of Spirit, so "the righteous requirement of the Law be fulfilled in us who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.* We who are a new creation, spiritual, have power to fulfill the laws of God which are spiritual.
for the Law perfected nothing. Now, the introduction of a better hope through which we draw near to God.*
Is the glory of Moses veiled because Christ was introduced as a better hope? this is true but Paul also writes, the Law had a veiled glory because it was a glory passing away.* "For indeed, the glory in this case has no glory, on account of the glory that surpasses it."* The Law given through Moses has no glory compared to the glory of Jesus, the Word of God. And is this not the glory that we are being transformed into? In other words there was better hope so they were not meant to see glory in the Law, so they were being held under a guardian until Christ. So we understand what Paul writes, the Law did not perfect nor mature, just like serving and sacrificing in the temple did not perfect men. It is important to realize this when looking at what Jesus says and at what is beneficial to us under a new covenant. Under the Law was the service of the Temple, both were an integral part. When Jesus said the Pharisees should have tithe not neglecting justice, mercy, and faith He was not justifying tithing in the new covenant but was saying the Law required tithing. The Law was still in effect, until a new will was established which requires a death. Go and sin no more spoken like to the the woman in adultery speaks of the same, though He had power to forgive this sin she was still under Law, a new covenant was not yet established. What brought in a new Testament, a new covenant? it required a death to bring in a will.* And it required a man to be born under the Law, of sinful nature of the flesh, to redeem, who would live an indestructible life, and it required the death of a spotless Lamb to be a sacrifice acceptable to God to atone for and be a propitiation for sin. Of course if we participate in His death, also we participate in, raised into Life.
For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.*
What judged and condemned the world? The Law, it said all were dead in trespasses and sin, falling short of the glory of God. Did God judge the world according to the Law? "Now, God existed rich in mercy through His great love which he loved us," sending His Son not to condemn us, but to save us, "even though we were dead in our trespasses and sin He made us alive in Christ Jesus, by grace existing saved, also raised and seated in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus."* I am seated in heavenly places, "there is no condemnation in Christ, for the Spirit of Life in Christ has set you free from the Law of sin and death."* It is as Paul writes, the glory would come through Christ, so in Christ there is no condemnation, we do not approach God in wrathful expectation, in fear and dread of judgement and condemnation. So back to our question earlier, does "until all comes into existence" speak of a heavenly home in existent now? Does it speak of a new covenant? Does not one small letter or stroke of ink pass away from the Law, is not the laws fulfilled when God places His Spirit within us thus writing His laws on our hearts and putting them in our minds? And is this not the service of grace, that His power is perfecting us, outwardly, to live accordingly?
on account of the mind of the flesh, hostile to God, no submission under, no submission to the Law of God, in fact no power to.*
Consequently, at the present, no condemnation, the ones in Christ Jesus. For the Spirit of Life in Christ has set you free from the Law of sin and death. For what the Law could not do, weak through the flesh, God sending His Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and as a sin offering condemned sin in the flesh, so that the righteous requirement of the Law be fulfilled in us who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.*
If one is born of Spirit these are led by and exist not under the Law, therefore there is no judgment and condemnation of the Law. The Law was weak through the flesh thus it was a ministry of death and condemnation, engraved in letters of stone.* Remember what Jesus said, "not the least letter neither stroke of ink will pass from the Law until all comes into existence."* Paul writes the church was a written letter, written not in ink but the Spirit, "you yourselves exist our letter, written on the hearts, known and read by all people, knowing that you are a letter of Christ delivered by us, written not in ink but the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of fleshly hearts."* The new covenant is not a ministry of death and condemnation, but of righteousness and of the Spirit. This is the ministry of the Spirit Jeremiah prophesied of, "the covenant God would make... I will put My law in their minds and inscribe it on their hearts. And I will be their God, and they will be My people."* It is a ministry of Spirit, a better hope which we draw near through, a new covenant in His blood. Jesus condemned sin in the flesh, how? And how can we obey the spiritual laws of God? through the Spirit. Jesus gave us the ability to become children, born of Spirit, so "the righteous requirement of the Law be fulfilled in us who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.* We who are a new creation, spiritual, have power to fulfill the laws of God which are spiritual.
for the Law perfected nothing. Now, the introduction of a better hope through which we draw near to God.*
Is the glory of Moses veiled because Christ was introduced as a better hope? this is true but Paul also writes, the Law had a veiled glory because it was a glory passing away.* "For indeed, the glory in this case has no glory, on account of the glory that surpasses it."* The Law given through Moses has no glory compared to the glory of Jesus, the Word of God. And is this not the glory that we are being transformed into? In other words there was better hope so they were not meant to see glory in the Law, so they were being held under a guardian until Christ. So we understand what Paul writes, the Law did not perfect nor mature, just like serving and sacrificing in the temple did not perfect men. It is important to realize this when looking at what Jesus says and at what is beneficial to us under a new covenant. Under the Law was the service of the Temple, both were an integral part. When Jesus said the Pharisees should have tithe not neglecting justice, mercy, and faith He was not justifying tithing in the new covenant but was saying the Law required tithing. The Law was still in effect, until a new will was established which requires a death. Go and sin no more spoken like to the the woman in adultery speaks of the same, though He had power to forgive this sin she was still under Law, a new covenant was not yet established. What brought in a new Testament, a new covenant? it required a death to bring in a will.* And it required a man to be born under the Law, of sinful nature of the flesh, to redeem, who would live an indestructible life, and it required the death of a spotless Lamb to be a sacrifice acceptable to God to atone for and be a propitiation for sin. Of course if we participate in His death, also we participate in, raised into Life.
For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.*
What judged and condemned the world? The Law, it said all were dead in trespasses and sin, falling short of the glory of God. Did God judge the world according to the Law? "Now, God existed rich in mercy through His great love which he loved us," sending His Son not to condemn us, but to save us, "even though we were dead in our trespasses and sin He made us alive in Christ Jesus, by grace existing saved, also raised and seated in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus."* I am seated in heavenly places, "there is no condemnation in Christ, for the Spirit of Life in Christ has set you free from the Law of sin and death."* It is as Paul writes, the glory would come through Christ, so in Christ there is no condemnation, we do not approach God in wrathful expectation, in fear and dread of judgement and condemnation. So back to our question earlier, does "until all comes into existence" speak of a heavenly home in existent now? Does it speak of a new covenant? Does not one small letter or stroke of ink pass away from the Law, is not the laws fulfilled when God places His Spirit within us thus writing His laws on our hearts and putting them in our minds? And is this not the service of grace, that His power is perfecting us, outwardly, to live accordingly?
on account of the mind of the flesh, hostile to God, no submission under, no submission to the Law of God, in fact no power to.*
The Law was holy and good but it was weak through the flesh, the carnal man. Do we not see why the glory of Moses was veiled? it did not perfect men, it did not have any power to do so because of the weakness of the sinful nature of the flesh. Therefore it created hostility. Yes, Jesus forgave our sins but did he not release us from the hostility of the Law? Because the Law is hostile and adverse to the carnal mind? "Having canceled the debt with its legal demands against us, that hostile to us, taking it away, nailing it to the cross."* By dying in the flesh was not the dividing wall of hostility of the Law removed? Surely, it is according to grace through faith that the promise comes to those under the Law and to us not under the Law, so it comes to all peoples and all nations.
also taking down the dividing wall, abolishing in his flesh, the law of commandments in regulations so as to create in himself a new man from two...*
How can one submit to the laws of God? Or said another way how can one accept His will as perfect and pleasing? What counts is being a new creation, born of Spirit, this person is spiritual and will inwardly delight in the laws of God. And he must enter his reasonable service unto holiness so that he is transformed, renewed in mind, so his mind aligns with the inward, submitting to the spiritual laws of God. This is why Paul writes sin will not rule over us as we are not under the Law but under grace.* Under the Law sinful passions are aroused thus it kills. It is not the Law that will perfect us, but His grace is sufficient as His power is perfecting us in this weakness. This power over weakness comes from being born of the Spirit, "those exiting in the flesh, powerful not to please God. You now, exist not in flesh but in Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God lives in you, now, whoever does not have the Spirit of Christ doesn't belong to God."*
Neither circumcision nor uncircumcision exist anything but a new creation.*
How can one do the will of God? First, one must be a new creation, born anew, from above, of the Spirit. Jesus said, what is flesh is flesh, and what is Spirit is Spirit, "I tell you the solemn truth unless a person is born from above, exist not of the kingdom of God."* Secondly, what is beneficial is faith energized through love. The seed of God, of righteousness, of Spirit, of Word, of Life, planted in the child will grow deep roots and grow up, increase, faith energized in agape love. Now, watch out for the weed workers of the devil, "watch out for those dogs, those harmful workers, those mutilators of the flesh!"* They are enemies of the cross.* What is a dog? the true things of God to them are like giving pearls to pigs, not beneficial. What is a harmful worker? They are the weeds planted by the devil, to choke out, who insist on doctrine, of demons, that toss to and fro, keeping you from growing up. What is a mutilator of the flesh? those who require us to be circumcised of the flesh, it is of benefit to them as they boast in making disciples of the flesh, but it is not beneficial to you in regards to godliness and life. The doctrines they introduce are living to laws, rules, and regulations, tithing, serving and sacrificing in the temple... things that do mature in Christ. But do not let anyone judge you in respect to food and drink, religious festivals, Sabbath days, nor let them insist on self-abasement of the flesh, living to elemental principles of do not touch, taste, handle... nor worship of angels, visions, being puffed up in empty notions by earthly thinking, as these do not hold fast to Jesus.*
circumcision is nothing and uncircumcision is nothing but keeping God's commands.*
Lastly, what is beneficial is keeping God's commands or doing the will of God. What commands? The Law came through Moses, but grace and truth came through Jesus. Truth in love we grow up into Him. And more, Jesus is the living bread, word of Life, so all those feeding on Him have eternal life. This is beneficial. Jesus gave a new commandment to love one another and told us to judge those who claim to be mature by their fruit. Judge in regards to obedience to Jesus by their fruit of loving one another. The Father sent the Word of Life to us, Jesus, so the commands we obey are not the handwriting on tablets of stone but the implanted Word of God, written on the heart by the Spirit. Under the Law the carnal mind could not submit, do the will of God but those born of Spirit have power to do so. These are led by the Spirit to abide in His words, to enter a reasonable service, to be transformed, the renewing of your mind, so to have the mind of Christ. Therefore, "the righteous requirement of the Law is fulfilled in us who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.* We want the things of God that are beneficial, for godliness and life.
For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision strengthens any but faith energized through love.*
What is the victory that overcomes the world? faith.* And faith without love is dead. Faith energized through love has great benefit. The child of God John writes knows the Father and that his sins are forgiven, he has testimony of Spirit and blood. He is rooted and grounded in faith and love.* By abiding he will grow up to overcome the world. Who is the ruler of this world? the devil. How do we overcome the devil? we become strong as the word of God abides in us. The words of Jesus increase our faith, and thus we overcome the evil one. Abiding in the words of Jesus transforms, producing the fruit of obedience. It is not about keeping written commandments, no, this dividing wall was adverse to us, this Jesus nailed to the cross.*
For He is our peace, the one making us both one, also having taken down the dividing wall in his flesh, the hostility, the law of commandments and regulations so to create in Himself one new man, from the two making peace.*
It is not about keeping written commandments, but it is about holiness, presenting the body a living sacrifice, holy, the sacrifice acceptable to God. This is our reasonable service. and our high calling. Transformation during this service will renew the mind to produce a mind that accepts the will of God as perfect. It is about doing the will of God and thus grace reigning through righteousness, as the one born of God, the seed of righteousness abides in him, and the Spirit is life through righteousness, thus he will grow up to bear fruit of righteousness. So what is our motivation? Fear of punishment? No, we are being perfected in love, truth in love, and we are being raised into Life, through the Spirit and the Word of Life. Faith energized through love, the ministry of righteousness, and of the Spirit is beneficial to us.
Although you were dead in that your trespasses and uncircumcision of your flesh, you were made alive together with Christ, forgiven your trespasses, wiping away the handwriting, its legal demands against us, which existed hostile to us and has taken it away by nailing it to the cross.*
Paul writes we were dead in our trespasses and sin, living according to the course of the world, according to its ruler, the same spirit now energizing the sons of unbelief, among them we also lived in the passions of our flesh, gratifying its desires like everyone else but God rich in mercy, because of his great love made us alive together in Christ.* Being alive is beneficial. By grace have you been saved. Why? "to demonstrate in the ages coming the superabundant riches of his grace in His kindness toward us. For by grace through faith are you saved, it is the gift of God, not of yours lest you boast." Lest we boast, is this not the purpose of being saved by grace through faith? That it is God's power, lest we boast, put confidence in the flesh.
For freedom Christ has set you free, stand firm therefore and do not subject again to a yoke of slavery. Listen! I Paul tell you that if you agree to circumcision Christ will be of no benefit to you. Now furthermore I declare to all men that if you agree to circumcision you are obligated to the entire Law. You have severed yourself from Christ, justifying yourselves, justifying in the Law, you have fallen from grace. For we by the Spirit, from faith await righteousness hopefully. For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision strengthens any but faith energized through love.*
This is important to understand because freedom in Christ is not just freedom from a yoke of slavery to sin but also that of the Law. Going back to the Law, or circumcision is going back to the old covenant, a veiled glory, a ministry of death and condemnation but more so it severs from Christ, the new covenant in His blood. This is why Paul calls them of the "circumcision party" they require us to adhere to just one requirement of the Old, circumcision, or the Mosaic Law, even tithing... then like yeast, the whole is infected by this one thing. Jesus said, "watch and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees."* Ask those in the Church today, do they believe they are under the Law. And if so what does this say of the Church?
Therefore at the present why do you tempt God? putting a yoke on the neck of the disciples, which neither our ancestors nor we strength to bear?*
What does it mean to put a yoke on the neck of the disciples? It is regarding the Law that did not benefit. Is it not the same thing, to fall from grace and go back to the Law? Surely it is to submit again to a yoke of slavery, if the glory of Moses had perfected men it would not have been veiled and Jesus would not have needed to come. Therefore to go back from a covenant in his blood is to sever from Christ attempting perfection in what did not perfect, which neglects freedom in Christ? The true disciple finds freedom in Christ. How? Not through adherence to written commandments, principles of do not touch, taste, handle or forms of self-abasement of the flesh? Observance of days, worship of angels? No, but Jesus said, "if you continue in my words, you exist truly my disciples and you know the truth and the truth sets you free."* Abiding in His words is being a true disciple and such a person will overcome sin. "If the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed."*
For freedom Christ has set you free, stand firm therefore and do not subject again to a yoke of slavery. Listen! I Paul tell you that if you agree to circumcision Christ will be of no benefit to you. Now furthermore I declare to all men that if you agree to circumcision you are obligated to the entire Law. You have severed yourself from Christ, justifying yourselves, justifying in the Law, you have fallen from grace. For we by the Spirit, from faith await righteousness hopefully. For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision strengthens any but faith energized through love.*
This is important to understand because freedom in Christ is not just freedom from a yoke of slavery to sin but also that of the Law. Going back to the Law, or circumcision is going back to the old covenant, a veiled glory, a ministry of death and condemnation but more so it severs from Christ, the new covenant in His blood. This is why Paul calls them of the "circumcision party" they require us to adhere to just one requirement of the Old, circumcision, or the Mosaic Law, even tithing... then like yeast, the whole is infected by this one thing. Jesus said, "watch and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees."* Ask those in the Church today, do they believe they are under the Law. And if so what does this say of the Church?
Therefore at the present why do you tempt God? putting a yoke on the neck of the disciples, which neither our ancestors nor we strength to bear?*
What does it mean to put a yoke on the neck of the disciples? It is regarding the Law that did not benefit. Is it not the same thing, to fall from grace and go back to the Law? Surely it is to submit again to a yoke of slavery, if the glory of Moses had perfected men it would not have been veiled and Jesus would not have needed to come. Therefore to go back from a covenant in his blood is to sever from Christ attempting perfection in what did not perfect, which neglects freedom in Christ? The true disciple finds freedom in Christ. How? Not through adherence to written commandments, principles of do not touch, taste, handle or forms of self-abasement of the flesh? Observance of days, worship of angels? No, but Jesus said, "if you continue in my words, you exist truly my disciples and you know the truth and the truth sets you free."* Abiding in His words is being a true disciple and such a person will overcome sin. "If the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed."*
I am a son of God, of the family and household of God, who will abide in the house forever! This house is built on the prophets and apostles, Jesus being the foundation stone. The promise of inheritance comes through Jesus, given to Abraham before circumcision and the Law, so the promise is not based on them. It is by faith according to grace so the blessings of adoption, redemption, forgiveness of sin comes to all peoples and all nations who believe in Christ. To be a child of God speaks of great blessings and of an inheritance that is imperishable and of eternal life. What counts is being a new creation, faith energized in love, but also of renewal, transforming power so that we have power to do the will of God. How can I do the will of God? I need to enter a reasonable service, which speaks of purpose and a destiny to become holy as He is holy. I am under grace, and though all things are lawful, not all things are beneficial to me. If Christ is in us we are called to a high calling, to share in his holy character. We are called to put to death sin in the flesh and be raised into newness of Life. The seal of a firm foundation in Christ is that we know God and that we put away sin.*
For sin rules not, ruling over you, since you exist not under the Law but under grace.*
If I go back to the Law I fall from grace and will not rule over sin. "Now, if you are led by the Spirit, existing not under the Law."* Do you see the Galatia church? The Galatians started out in power of the Spirit, but went back to the flesh, they went back to a works justification of the Law thus fell from grace, severing themselves from Christ, and did not rule over sin. Ruling over sin is under grace as it is God's power at work. "Not knowing no one is justified from works of the Law but through faith in Jesus Christ... for if I build up again those things tore down I demonstrate I am a lawbreaker. For through the Law I died to the Law so that living to God, crucified with Christ, now I no longer live but Christ lives in me, I at the present live in the flesh, living in faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. I do not nullify the grace of God, for if righteousness came through the Law then Christ died for nothing!"* If I build back what Christ tore down, the Law, I am a lawbreaker? And the temple which was an integral part of the Law if I build it back I am a lawbreaker? The veil was torn in the temple when Jesus died on the cross, but literally the temple was tore down as Jesus prophesied would happen.* Should not this be sufficient evidence of the end of the covenant of the Law and its temple, the sacrificing that did not eternally forgive sin and its serving that did perfect men? And who will sit on a throne in the new temple? but Christ, the judge and lawgiver, the One I am bound in a promised covenant with an inheritance in a promised land, in whom the Spirit is a pledge.
In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the pledge of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory.*
Do we see how we can fall from grace, going back to a covenant that did not perfect men? And do not such people who do not only live in the flesh but sever themselves from Christ? And disobedience to the Law had judgement without mercy condemning on account of two or three witnesses, how much deserving are those "?"* Is this applicable to "using grace as a license to sin" or to those who fall from grace going back to the Law? Or both? Surely Paul mostly addresses the larger issue of falling from grace, going back to the Law and to deceitful doctrines that do not perfect nor mature, keeping us children. Thus the reasonable service and main purpose of the church brings maturity, "until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God, as we mature to the full measure of the stature of Christ. Then we will no longer be infants, tossed about by the waves..."* When a Church falls short of the grace of God, many will be defiled by a root of bitterness.* The bitterness of unjust judging that causes a brother to stumble? A mindset that judges by the Law, judging by laws. Judging that says God punishes evil and rewards good, thus the rich of this earth God is rewarding, such a mind keeps them from maturity as James writes.* Being justified by works of the Law they will also judge and teach the Law, and these will despise mercy and grace. Grace is not a license to sin but a platform, to stand upon having access to by faith.* Grace is a service to us so that God's power raises us into newness of Life.
This is My blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.*
Can I be under the new covenant and the covenant of circumcision of the flesh at the same time? or be under both Grace and the Law? Under the Law and of Spirit? "But a Jew is the one inward, and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God."* Do we see the letter will not pass away from the Law, and the fulfillment of the righteous requirements of the Law being fulfilled through those led by the Spirit, God writing his laws on our hearts and minds? If I am born of God I am a partaker of His divine nature, no longer a slave to sin but indebted to righteousness. Paul writes he delighted inwardly in the laws of God.* He agrees with the Law as he is now spiritual, he can fulfill the Law. But he finds another principle, that evil is near and sin dwells in his flesh.* Evil wars against his mind to bring him into captivity to the flesh so he has no power to practice the truth, that which is his new inward nature.
My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is perfected in weakness.*
Sufficient means its a service to us, it wards off any attempts for us to find perfection, maturity through fleshly means. If you go back to circumcision of the flesh, or adhering to the Torah, you leaven the whole lump, and if you take one thing of the Law like tithing then you are required to adhere to the whole Law.* And more, you submit to a yoke of slavery. "For we exist the true circumcision, the ones worshiping in the Spirit of God and boast in Christ also having no confidence in the flesh."* So the question becomes what is beneficial to the ones worshiping in truth, in the Spirit of God?
We are buried with Him in baptism into His death, the old self has been crucified with him, so we have died to sin. But also "having died to that which detained us" this speaks of being released from the Law, the written commandments. The law of faith tells us such, a righteousness a part from works of the Law, we are justified by faith, according to grace. And what is the service of grace? that His grace is sufficient for what? that his power is being perfected in our weakness, that the power of Christ abides in me.* The same power that raised Jesus from the dead. Do you understand why it is important that we are not under Law?
who also us made sufficient servants of a new covenant, not of the letter, but of the Spirit, for the letter kills, yea, the Spirit gives life.*
Does this verse not sum it up? the Spirit gives life but the letter kills. Do we understand what this means? to be led by the Spirit, not under Law? To rule over sin under grace? If I am born of God and have come into existence a new creation do I not have the power to fulfill the righteous requirement of the Law which are spiritual? Through the "power, through His Spirit in your inner being." in which "His anointing teaches you about all things." And if the Spirit of God abides in me writing His laws on my heart then is it not true, not one letter nor stroke of ink of the laws of God have passed away? Which is summed up in loving God and my brother. And because of His power in me, is not His grace sufficient? That I have power to ovey, to do His will. And has he not made us sufficient servants of a new covenant, not of the letter, but of the Spirit that gives life? Freed from the law of sin and death, from the ministry of death and condemnation, to serve in newness of Spirit. We live by the law of faith and the law of the Spirit of life, the ministry of righteousness and of the Spirit. As "now, God raising the Lord also is raising us through his power."* Yes, I exist of and led by the Spirit. The same power raising Jesus lives in me.