Love Fulfilled Ministry

all to me is acceptable, but not all beneficial. All to me acceptable but I will not be under the authority of any -1 Corinthians 6:12 This verse is often translated as "all things are lawful for me." What is Paul saying? We are released from the Law and are under grace, are we free to sin? No matter how we look at the first part the second part puts things into perspective, "I will not be under the authority of any." As a child of God can I place myself under the authority and power of darkness? "For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh..." (Galatians 5:13). What happens if we do use our freedom as an opportunity to sin? What we do in the body will determine whose authority and influence we place ourselves under, either the power and authority of God or of darkness. not knowing the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God... and some of you existed these but you were washed, sanctified,...

Therefore, what shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound? - Romans 6:1 Therefore, the preceding chapter gives amazing teaching about grace, so make sure you read these. * Here, I believe Paul is addressing those who would take this teaching of grace and say that he is implying grace is a license to sin. The answer to this is the case against sin for the believer; why would we continue in sin? By what means can one who died to sin yet live in it? - Romans 6:2 The first case against continuing in sin; you died with Christ. "For the one dying has been set free from sin" (Romans 6:6-7) You died and were buried with him in baptism. A dead person can not live in sin, for he has died to sin. How does he die to sin, "or do you not know? because those baptized to the extent of Christ baptized to the extent of his death" (Romans 6:3). You were baptized into his death. Do you not know, were you not taught this?  therefore we were buried with him thro...

But the free gift is not like the trespass. For if many died through one man's trespass, much more have the grace of God and the free gift by the grace of that one man Jesus Christ abounded for many -Romans 5:15 We know that sin and death came to all men through the one act of Adam. Jesus came in the fullness of the Father, of grace and truth (John 1:14). And God being just and displaying his righteousness, looked over previous sins, through the one righteous act of Jesus. Through Christ, the grace of God has abounded and the free gift by this grace has come to many. What is the free gift that comes through the grace of God? 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 - Romans 5:1-2, ESV Through Jesus, we have obtained faith and have access to grace. By faith, we have been justified, " ...

Because grace is extended to you on behalf of Christ, not only to believe in him but also to suffer on his behalf - Philippians 1:29 We are saved by grace, grace has been extended to us, to believe but also to suffer on behalf of Christ. In Acts we read Paul went about, "strengthening the souls of the disciples, encouraging them to continue in the faith, and saying that through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God" (Acts 14:22). If you have read the epistles you know that Paul suffered much, and he experienced abandonment from men during such times and comfort from others. Paul was able to strengthen the brethren because he had been strengthened and he was able to comfort and encourage because he had received comfort while suffering greatly for Christ. Truly, there is understanding in this when he writes, "rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn" (Romans 12:15). People who know this truth in Christ, having suffered with him, will mou...