Now, seek first the kingdom of God and that his righteousness and all this will be added unto you.*
The life of this world is about earthly possessions, clothing, food that brings life to this earthly body. But the spiritual life is about food that endures unto everlasting life. If we save this life, of this world we loose the other life and what gain is there if we gain in this life the whole world and loose the spiritual life? If we put first His kingdom and righteousness then Jesus says he will take care of the needs of thiis earthly life, like the birds of the air that neither sow and reap nor store up in barn houses, he will provide for his children. Some of the weeds that the devil plants to choke out our growth is caring too much for this life, its anxieties and its riches. The devil tempted Jesus with the same things, the lust of the flesh, eyes, and the pride of this earthly life. Seeking first the kingdom of God and that his righteousness is not about laboring for things of this earthly life, but for food that endures unto life. There is a seeking, a laboring for bread that endures unto life, it is real food and real drink. Therefore if these things are true, seeking first the kingdom of God and His righteousness is about things that endure unto life. We call the fulfillment of life, abundant life, and will see that righteousness plays a very important role.
Now, if Christ is in you, although the body is dead through sin, the Spirit is life through righteousness.*
The Spirit is life through righteousness. What does this mean, life is through righteousness? Jesus came to give us abundant life, "I have come that you might have life and have it abundantly."* Jesus gives us the gift of life, and the Spirit, which is a Spirit of Life, but as the Spirit doesn't work on its on teaching us to abide in Him so that sanctification is in His words, the Spirit also in regards to life, guides us to life through righteousness. We receive by faith, the gifts of abundant grace and righteousness. The gift of righteousness like the word of God implanted within us an imperishable seed growing up to bear fruit, so also is the gift of righteousness like a seed that grows up to bear fruit. "much more will those who receive the abundance of grace and the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one, Jesus Christ."* There is a reign in life over death, and righteousness over unrighteousness. We will rule over sin under grace, not the Law, as the letter kills and the Spirit gives life, as in this weakness God's power is perfecting, maturing. This power works through abundant grace and righteousness.
His divine power has given us everything for life and godliness through the knowledge of Him who called us, his own glory and excellence.*
Grace reigning through righteousness attributes the glory to God and his excellence. We do not boast in ourselves but in the law of faith, that states we are justified freely apart from works of the law. And we further continue our boasting under grace, as it is God's power maturing us in this weakness of the flesh in which sin dwells and evil is near. Not to be deceived we acknowledge this weakness and sin, so that truth dwells in us, and we give glory to God who through his power raises us up into newness of Life. We see that God through Christ's work and our receiving these gifts has given us everything we need, but we also we see the truth of scriptures that there is a growth process, we grow up in knowledge of the Son. Therefore everything for life and godliness is through the knowledge of Jesus. In other words it is given but we must lay hold of it, attain it through growth in knowledge of Jesus, in whom is all wisdom and understanding. Peters writes we grow up in grace and knowledge of the Son.*
For from him and through Him and to the extent of him all his, the glory for all time, amen!*
Through Him, whom exists the word of God who created all things, and whom God chose through Him that we become a new creation, him being the firstborn and we who receive Him, fruits of that creation, entering the kingdom of God through being born of the Spirit and the imperishable seed of the word of God, to an inheritance sealed by the Spirit until redemption of His own. Also we become partakers of his divine nature. So we have everything we need, but we must attain it through knowledge of the Son. This is what it means to to know him, as Paul writes it is not like he has attained this fully but he counts everything else as loss in order to know Christ. The work of ministry is that the body is built up, grows up in knowledge of the Son, into full maturity of the image of Christ. This is transformation from glory to glory, into the image of Christ. This is the glory and why Christ is the hope of glory. It is from Him (we receive adoption, redemption, justification, righteousness) and through Him we attain all things (we grow up to bear fruit of maturity; life and righteousness.)
Now, at the present freed from sin, now, servants to God, the fruit you get leads to sanctification, now, its goal is life.*
The same word for sanctification is also used for holiness and consecration. We exist of Christ, who became for us wisdom, righteousness and sanctification and redemption.* Is the process already complete? If so then we ask does a child
know fully God? through the Son do I know his ways and walk in them? From him all things come but also through knowledge of Him, through growth comes maturity into these things. As a child looks dimly as in a mirror, not fully known as he is in Christ, there is a process through knowledge of Jesus that leads to maturity, in which is transformation, a renewed mind to be the mind of Christ. Such growth bears fruit of obedience, liberty, life, and righteousness all through growth in knowledge of Him. So we also ask if I receive redemption from Him is the process complete? If the process of redemption were complete then I would have a redeemed body, but I do not. There is a process, call it sanctification, holiness, godliness, or consecration, there is a testimony of water that purifies the body of sin, not like washing dirt away, but a washing that puts to death the deeds of the flesh, rendering sin powerless, bringing forth fruit of righteousness. It is best I do not ignore such teachings if I want life. What I received from Christ leads me into consecration, now, its goal is life.*
neither present that your member to sin, instruments of unrighteousness, but present yourself to God as alive from the dead and your member to God, instrument of righteousness.*
In regards to seeking first his righteousness, what sacrifice does God desire? does the sacrifice of giving ten percent of all my money tell where the treasure of my heart is in regards to seeking first His righteousness? Is this why Christ came and died so I offer God continued sacrifices of tithing of money? Do we have scriptures in the new covenant in His blood that tell us what sacrifice God desires? Yes, we see here "present yourself to God as alive from the dead and your member to God, instruments of righteousness."* This sacrifice is called our reasonable service, "present that your body a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, this is your reasonable service."* This is the sacrifice acceptable to God, it is our reasonable service and worship to be placed first, above all else in regards to seeking first His kingdom and righteousness. This is a sacrifice unto holiness, sanctification, consecration so to share in His character, a sacrifice acceptable to Him and to those trained in godliness.
so that just as sin reigned in death, so also grace reigns through righteousness leading to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.*
When we presented our body to sin the fruit was death, like as grace reigns through righteousness, therefore present your body to Christ, an instrument of righteousness through sanctification, the fruiy is abundant life. Some call this obedience through submission to Christ's lordship, but we are careful to point out the body is the issue here. The body of sinful nature, of a carnal mind, is a slave to whomever it obeys, whether to sin or to righteousness.* If I am born of God I am indebted to righteousness, not to sin. This is why Paul writes the body is the Lord's, as He must take mastery over this sinful body in which sin dwells and evil is near. He is Lord of my body, but in Spirit I am a child of God, not a servant nor a slave who doesn't abide in the house forever. A child is like a servant under a tutor until he becomes a son, a son abides in the house. It helps to understand this when we separate our salvation into Spirit, soul, and body, knowing that our Spirit exists perfected, sanctified in Christ and our bodies do not, and in between is the goal of our faith, the salvation of our soul.
stand therefore girding your waist in truth and putting on the breastplate of righteousness.*
We stand by first putting truth all around us, abiding in the truth we will know the truth and be set free. This is what it means to know Christ. This is something Jesus warns us about, that knowing Him is not based upon doing good works in His name, but personal knowledge which produces growth through abiding in His words. To me this is the good works God desires. His words exist truth and life, as the Spirit is life through Christ and righteousness, the word of God exists both Spirit and truth. Without abiding in Him, the vine, we will not bear fruit worthy of the kingdom of God. This putting on the breastplate of righteousness is very important in standing. Think about the devil being the accuser of the brethren, and how he does. Though we are not defined by sin in the flesh, our bodies are not righteous and will submit to whoever we obey. Think about the scriptures before this verse related to putting off the old man and putting on the new. Putting on the breastplate of righteousness is bearing fruit of righteousness and is key to our stand.
Now, if Christ is in you, truly the body is dead through sin, the Spirit is life through righteousness.*
Truly the body is dead through sin. The Spirit moans in us testifying of a redemption of our bodies.* John writes if we say we are without sin we deceive ourselves. Now, truly the Spirit frees us from the law of sin and death, and we see the Spirit is life through righteousness. In this mystery of Jesus condemning sin in the flesh and giving us the Spirit in which we have power to overcome sin we see God demonstrates his kindness and His righteousness in overing looking past sin, existing just and the one justifying from faith in Jesus.* Jesus condemns sin in the flesh and he shed his blood on a cross to free us from sin. It is a mystery, as this is accomplished through a new creation in which we become spiritual, those who can fulfill God's laws which are spiritual. He is still Just in this, His righteousness, holiness is not in question, sin is condemned in the flesh, though in Christ there is no condemnation abs we exist spiritual and at the same time as sin is condemned in the flesh we are justified by grace through redemption and through his blood. We see something very important, in regards to the gift of righteousness, the one born of God will bear fruit of righteousness as God's seed abides in him.
through whom given us that valuable and promised blessing so that through this person we come into existence, avoiding corruption in the world in fleshly desires, coming into existence partakers of his divine nature.*
Yes, we in spirit have sanctification, righteousness, but as Peter mentions there is the goal of faith; salvation of our souls.* This is the goal of God's discipline, that we share in his character, his divine nature.* If I am born of God, if His seed dwells in me, I will overcome this body in which sin dwells and bear fruit of His nature.* God keeps his own, he disciplines them and keeps them from the evil one so that they grow up to bear fruit.* How do they bear fruit, how do they grow up? The child knows the Father and that his sin is forgiven, but a young person grows up through abiding in the words of Jesus, he is strong and overcomes the evil one. Why does John write the evil one and not the flesh? Paul writes sin dwells in the flesh, this is the weakness that evil uses to war against our soul, to bring us into captivity to sin. Doctrines and teachings of Christ would cause the child to grow up so that he is no longer tossed to and fro but becomes free from sin, not submitting him to false teachings that again produce a yoke of slavery like that which happened in the Galatia church.
For all the ones partaking of milk, ignorant of teachings of righteousness, for existing a child.*
There are teachings of righteousness? yes, just like there are teachings of baptism.* How many people know about the teachings of baptism and righteousness? It is important teachings that teach us the truth in which we abide in, that knowing and setting free from sin. The teachings of baptism give us truth about the sinful nature and though we are not defined by it, such truth helps us overcome. This is our commitment to grow up to bear fruit of what is inside, righteousness, and has testimony of water as to the purification of the body of sin, your old self was crucified with Him. In the New God starts from within and brings into existence His character, his nature in his children. This is called bearing or yielding or practicing truth which comes through maturity. Very important is the teachings of righteousness, as for this purpose of sharing his nature God disciplines his children.
Now, all discipline at the time isn't pleasant but painful, now, later it yields profitable fruit of righteousness to those trained through it.*
We see that the discipline of God is that we share in His character which produces fruit of righteousness. This is what seeking first His righteousness is all about. We receive freely by faith from God and what we have leads us into consecration, a process which yields profitable fruit of righteousness. Righteousness is very profitable as a gift in Christ but also it is profitable in that it brings glory, when we bear fruit of righteousness. In this God is glorified in that we bear fruit of His nature in the world. If we are called to heaven then this is our calling to become like Him in righteousness.
now according to his promise, we are expectant of a new heaven, and a new earth in which righteousness is at home.*
God made him, who knew no sin, in sinful nature so that in him we come into existence the righteousness of God.* In him is righteousness and in him we bear fruit of righteousness. Those born of him do not continue in unrighteousness but present the body as an instrument of his righteousness.* This is our reasonable service and sacrifice acceptable to God, presenting the body a living sacrifice unto holiness.* We seek the goal of our faith, the salvation of our souls through growth in knowledge of the Son and count all other things as loss in order to know Christ and His righteousness. This is what seeking first His righteousness is all about, that we come into existence like Him.
Whom himself bore that our sins in his body on a tree so that living, dead to sin, living to righteousness, that his wounds heal us.*
Jesus came to give us the right to become children of God, in such we exist children of God, and he came to bear our sins, so that we are dead to sin and alive to God, "living to righteousness." In other words he died for sin so that we do not die in sin but live in righteousness. This is how grace reigns through righteousness, like as sin brought fruit of death, God's gift of grace and righteousness brings forth fruit of life. Yes, we have life in Christ as children but there is a maturity in which abundant life is the outcome. For this purpose we are led by the Spirit to abide in Him, in whose words we will bear fruit. We live dead to sin and alive to God, His wounds heal us. Paul writes in Christ we are obligated to righteousness, not to the sinful nature, we are a new creation in Christ Jesus, partakers of His divine nature. So let us no longer be children tossed to and fro but grow up in knowledge of Him, into full adulthood. The outcome of such maturity is the crown of Life. Let us seek first his kingdom and righteousness and all these things will be added unto us.
Now, if Christ is in you, although the body is dead through sin, the Spirit is life through righteousness.*
The Spirit is life through righteousness. What does this mean, life is through righteousness? Jesus came to give us abundant life, "I have come that you might have life and have it abundantly."* Jesus gives us the gift of life, and the Spirit, which is a Spirit of Life, but as the Spirit doesn't work on its on teaching us to abide in Him so that sanctification is in His words, the Spirit also in regards to life, guides us to life through righteousness. We receive by faith, the gifts of abundant grace and righteousness. The gift of righteousness like the word of God implanted within us an imperishable seed growing up to bear fruit, so also is the gift of righteousness like a seed that grows up to bear fruit. "much more will those who receive the abundance of grace and the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one, Jesus Christ."* There is a reign in life over death, and righteousness over unrighteousness. We will rule over sin under grace, not the Law, as the letter kills and the Spirit gives life, as in this weakness God's power is perfecting, maturing. This power works through abundant grace and righteousness.
His divine power has given us everything for life and godliness through the knowledge of Him who called us, his own glory and excellence.*
Grace reigning through righteousness attributes the glory to God and his excellence. We do not boast in ourselves but in the law of faith, that states we are justified freely apart from works of the law. And we further continue our boasting under grace, as it is God's power maturing us in this weakness of the flesh in which sin dwells and evil is near. Not to be deceived we acknowledge this weakness and sin, so that truth dwells in us, and we give glory to God who through his power raises us up into newness of Life. We see that God through Christ's work and our receiving these gifts has given us everything we need, but we also we see the truth of scriptures that there is a growth process, we grow up in knowledge of the Son. Therefore everything for life and godliness is through the knowledge of Jesus. In other words it is given but we must lay hold of it, attain it through growth in knowledge of Jesus, in whom is all wisdom and understanding. Peters writes we grow up in grace and knowledge of the Son.*
For from him and through Him and to the extent of him all his, the glory for all time, amen!*
Through Him, whom exists the word of God who created all things, and whom God chose through Him that we become a new creation, him being the firstborn and we who receive Him, fruits of that creation, entering the kingdom of God through being born of the Spirit and the imperishable seed of the word of God, to an inheritance sealed by the Spirit until redemption of His own. Also we become partakers of his divine nature. So we have everything we need, but we must attain it through knowledge of the Son. This is what it means to to know him, as Paul writes it is not like he has attained this fully but he counts everything else as loss in order to know Christ. The work of ministry is that the body is built up, grows up in knowledge of the Son, into full maturity of the image of Christ. This is transformation from glory to glory, into the image of Christ. This is the glory and why Christ is the hope of glory. It is from Him (we receive adoption, redemption, justification, righteousness) and through Him we attain all things (we grow up to bear fruit of maturity; life and righteousness.)
Now, at the present freed from sin, now, servants to God, the fruit you get leads to sanctification, now, its goal is life.*
The same word for sanctification is also used for holiness and consecration. We exist of Christ, who became for us wisdom, righteousness and sanctification and redemption.* Is the process already complete? If so then we ask does a child
know fully God? through the Son do I know his ways and walk in them? From him all things come but also through knowledge of Him, through growth comes maturity into these things. As a child looks dimly as in a mirror, not fully known as he is in Christ, there is a process through knowledge of Jesus that leads to maturity, in which is transformation, a renewed mind to be the mind of Christ. Such growth bears fruit of obedience, liberty, life, and righteousness all through growth in knowledge of Him. So we also ask if I receive redemption from Him is the process complete? If the process of redemption were complete then I would have a redeemed body, but I do not. There is a process, call it sanctification, holiness, godliness, or consecration, there is a testimony of water that purifies the body of sin, not like washing dirt away, but a washing that puts to death the deeds of the flesh, rendering sin powerless, bringing forth fruit of righteousness. It is best I do not ignore such teachings if I want life. What I received from Christ leads me into consecration, now, its goal is life.*
neither present that your member to sin, instruments of unrighteousness, but present yourself to God as alive from the dead and your member to God, instrument of righteousness.*
In regards to seeking first his righteousness, what sacrifice does God desire? does the sacrifice of giving ten percent of all my money tell where the treasure of my heart is in regards to seeking first His righteousness? Is this why Christ came and died so I offer God continued sacrifices of tithing of money? Do we have scriptures in the new covenant in His blood that tell us what sacrifice God desires? Yes, we see here "present yourself to God as alive from the dead and your member to God, instruments of righteousness."* This sacrifice is called our reasonable service, "present that your body a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, this is your reasonable service."* This is the sacrifice acceptable to God, it is our reasonable service and worship to be placed first, above all else in regards to seeking first His kingdom and righteousness. This is a sacrifice unto holiness, sanctification, consecration so to share in His character, a sacrifice acceptable to Him and to those trained in godliness.
so that just as sin reigned in death, so also grace reigns through righteousness leading to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.*
When we presented our body to sin the fruit was death, like as grace reigns through righteousness, therefore present your body to Christ, an instrument of righteousness through sanctification, the fruiy is abundant life. Some call this obedience through submission to Christ's lordship, but we are careful to point out the body is the issue here. The body of sinful nature, of a carnal mind, is a slave to whomever it obeys, whether to sin or to righteousness.* If I am born of God I am indebted to righteousness, not to sin. This is why Paul writes the body is the Lord's, as He must take mastery over this sinful body in which sin dwells and evil is near. He is Lord of my body, but in Spirit I am a child of God, not a servant nor a slave who doesn't abide in the house forever. A child is like a servant under a tutor until he becomes a son, a son abides in the house. It helps to understand this when we separate our salvation into Spirit, soul, and body, knowing that our Spirit exists perfected, sanctified in Christ and our bodies do not, and in between is the goal of our faith, the salvation of our soul.
stand therefore girding your waist in truth and putting on the breastplate of righteousness.*
We stand by first putting truth all around us, abiding in the truth we will know the truth and be set free. This is what it means to know Christ. This is something Jesus warns us about, that knowing Him is not based upon doing good works in His name, but personal knowledge which produces growth through abiding in His words. To me this is the good works God desires. His words exist truth and life, as the Spirit is life through Christ and righteousness, the word of God exists both Spirit and truth. Without abiding in Him, the vine, we will not bear fruit worthy of the kingdom of God. This putting on the breastplate of righteousness is very important in standing. Think about the devil being the accuser of the brethren, and how he does. Though we are not defined by sin in the flesh, our bodies are not righteous and will submit to whoever we obey. Think about the scriptures before this verse related to putting off the old man and putting on the new. Putting on the breastplate of righteousness is bearing fruit of righteousness and is key to our stand.
Now, if Christ is in you, truly the body is dead through sin, the Spirit is life through righteousness.*
Truly the body is dead through sin. The Spirit moans in us testifying of a redemption of our bodies.* John writes if we say we are without sin we deceive ourselves. Now, truly the Spirit frees us from the law of sin and death, and we see the Spirit is life through righteousness. In this mystery of Jesus condemning sin in the flesh and giving us the Spirit in which we have power to overcome sin we see God demonstrates his kindness and His righteousness in overing looking past sin, existing just and the one justifying from faith in Jesus.* Jesus condemns sin in the flesh and he shed his blood on a cross to free us from sin. It is a mystery, as this is accomplished through a new creation in which we become spiritual, those who can fulfill God's laws which are spiritual. He is still Just in this, His righteousness, holiness is not in question, sin is condemned in the flesh, though in Christ there is no condemnation abs we exist spiritual and at the same time as sin is condemned in the flesh we are justified by grace through redemption and through his blood. We see something very important, in regards to the gift of righteousness, the one born of God will bear fruit of righteousness as God's seed abides in him.
through whom given us that valuable and promised blessing so that through this person we come into existence, avoiding corruption in the world in fleshly desires, coming into existence partakers of his divine nature.*
Yes, we in spirit have sanctification, righteousness, but as Peter mentions there is the goal of faith; salvation of our souls.* This is the goal of God's discipline, that we share in his character, his divine nature.* If I am born of God, if His seed dwells in me, I will overcome this body in which sin dwells and bear fruit of His nature.* God keeps his own, he disciplines them and keeps them from the evil one so that they grow up to bear fruit.* How do they bear fruit, how do they grow up? The child knows the Father and that his sin is forgiven, but a young person grows up through abiding in the words of Jesus, he is strong and overcomes the evil one. Why does John write the evil one and not the flesh? Paul writes sin dwells in the flesh, this is the weakness that evil uses to war against our soul, to bring us into captivity to sin. Doctrines and teachings of Christ would cause the child to grow up so that he is no longer tossed to and fro but becomes free from sin, not submitting him to false teachings that again produce a yoke of slavery like that which happened in the Galatia church.
For all the ones partaking of milk, ignorant of teachings of righteousness, for existing a child.*
There are teachings of righteousness? yes, just like there are teachings of baptism.* How many people know about the teachings of baptism and righteousness? It is important teachings that teach us the truth in which we abide in, that knowing and setting free from sin. The teachings of baptism give us truth about the sinful nature and though we are not defined by it, such truth helps us overcome. This is our commitment to grow up to bear fruit of what is inside, righteousness, and has testimony of water as to the purification of the body of sin, your old self was crucified with Him. In the New God starts from within and brings into existence His character, his nature in his children. This is called bearing or yielding or practicing truth which comes through maturity. Very important is the teachings of righteousness, as for this purpose of sharing his nature God disciplines his children.
Now, all discipline at the time isn't pleasant but painful, now, later it yields profitable fruit of righteousness to those trained through it.*
We see that the discipline of God is that we share in His character which produces fruit of righteousness. This is what seeking first His righteousness is all about. We receive freely by faith from God and what we have leads us into consecration, a process which yields profitable fruit of righteousness. Righteousness is very profitable as a gift in Christ but also it is profitable in that it brings glory, when we bear fruit of righteousness. In this God is glorified in that we bear fruit of His nature in the world. If we are called to heaven then this is our calling to become like Him in righteousness.
now according to his promise, we are expectant of a new heaven, and a new earth in which righteousness is at home.*
God made him, who knew no sin, in sinful nature so that in him we come into existence the righteousness of God.* In him is righteousness and in him we bear fruit of righteousness. Those born of him do not continue in unrighteousness but present the body as an instrument of his righteousness.* This is our reasonable service and sacrifice acceptable to God, presenting the body a living sacrifice unto holiness.* We seek the goal of our faith, the salvation of our souls through growth in knowledge of the Son and count all other things as loss in order to know Christ and His righteousness. This is what seeking first His righteousness is all about, that we come into existence like Him.
Whom himself bore that our sins in his body on a tree so that living, dead to sin, living to righteousness, that his wounds heal us.*
Jesus came to give us the right to become children of God, in such we exist children of God, and he came to bear our sins, so that we are dead to sin and alive to God, "living to righteousness." In other words he died for sin so that we do not die in sin but live in righteousness. This is how grace reigns through righteousness, like as sin brought fruit of death, God's gift of grace and righteousness brings forth fruit of life. Yes, we have life in Christ as children but there is a maturity in which abundant life is the outcome. For this purpose we are led by the Spirit to abide in Him, in whose words we will bear fruit. We live dead to sin and alive to God, His wounds heal us. Paul writes in Christ we are obligated to righteousness, not to the sinful nature, we are a new creation in Christ Jesus, partakers of His divine nature. So let us no longer be children tossed to and fro but grow up in knowledge of Him, into full adulthood. The outcome of such maturity is the crown of Life. Let us seek first his kingdom and righteousness and all these things will be added unto us.