The Rest Of Our Time In The Flesh In Christ

2009-08-22 22:18

One believes in Jesus to become a slave to righteousness and fulfill the will of God, as it is written, "You have been set free from sin and have become slaves to righteousness." (Romans 6:18).

However, until now many people, who say they believe in Jesus, are still in their sins, and cannot please God. It is because in their belief there is only the dead Jesus, not the raised Jesus for righteousness. They know only about sin, not about righteousness.

Therefore, the Bible says about those who know only about sin, not about righteousness, "Since they did not know the righteousness that comes from God and sought to establish their own, they did not submit to God's righteousness." (Romans 10:3).

A man, that is, a sinner is not justified by believing in Jesus who died to sin, but by believing in Jesus who were raised for righteousness. It is written, "That if you confess with your mouth, 'Jesus is Lord,' and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved." (Romans 10:9-10).

It is written, "For in the gospel a righteousness from God is revealed, a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: 'The righteous will live by faith.'" (Romans 1:17). In the above passage, we can know that through the gospel, God works to lead us from faith, in which to take away sins we died with Jesus, to faith, in which to accomplish righteousness we are raised with Jesus.

The faith in Jesus, who died to take away sins, is precious, but the faith in God, who for righteousness raised Jesus from the dead, is even more precious.

It is written, "But if it is preached that Christ has been raised from the dead, how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? If there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised. And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith. More than that, we are then found to be false witnesses about God, for we have testified about God that he raised Christ from the dead. But he did not raise him if in fact the dead are not raised. For if the dead are not raised, then Christ has not been raised either. And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins. Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ are lost. If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are to be pitied more than all men. But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep." (1 Corinthians 15:12-20).

Therefore, the Bible exhorts those who are in Christ Jesus, "The death he died, he died to sin once for all; but the life he lives, he lives to God. In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus." (Romans 6:10-11). And also it says, "He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed. For you were like sheep going astray, but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls." (1 Peter 2:24-25).

Therefore, the Bible exhorts us in view of God's mercy, "Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. Because of these, the wrath of God is coming. You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived. But now you must rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips. Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator. Here there is no Greek or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all. Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity." (Colossians 3:1-14).

Therefore, for us who believe in Jesus who has been raised and made perfect, these words of perfect faith make our hope more abundant in joy, "Therefore, since Christ suffered in his body, arm yourselves also with the same attitude, because he who has suffered in his body is done with sin. As a result, he does not live the rest of his earthly life for evil human desires, but rather for the will of God." (1 Peter 4:1-2).

"For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain." (Philippians 1:21). Amen. Thank you, Lord.