DM#15: For whatever is not from faith is sin

Doctrine of the Mysteries #15

For whatever is not from faith is sin

Romans chapter 14 has such a wealth of information to keep us on the righteous path. In the previous post (DM#14) I dealt with Rom 14:1-5. Let's now look at some key statements in the last part of the chapter. 

Let's continue with Paul's advice,

Romans 14:22 Do you have faith [believing that what you do or choose is right in your heart]? Have it to yourself before God. Happy is he who does not condemn himself in what he approves. 23 But he who doubts [what he approves] is condemned [and sins] if he eats [or does or says], because he does not eat [or do or say] from faith [but acts under condemnation, not being fully convinced in his heart]; for whatever is not from faith is sin. (Gal.2:20)

This part of the passage is jam-packed with information that we can use to judge our heart and determine where we stand regarding 'doubtful' sins. It starts by pointing out again that we cannot judge another in any regard. These are personal convictions that we cannot place upon others. This is why it says, "Do you have faith? Have it to yourself before God." Did you catch that? Have it to yourself before God! Your conviction is yours before God. You cannot place it on someone else! If you are convicted of smoking, then you cannot tell someone else that they are sinning because they are smoking! That person might not have been convicted in their heart about it. The Holy Spirit might be dealing with them about other issues that they perceive as sin, but smoking might not be one of them yet. We are all on a different part of the road to sanctification.

DM#14: Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind.

Doctrine of the Mysteries #14

Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind 

We all know that lying and stealing is sin. The Bible verifies this explicitly, including other actions like adultery, murder, coveting, idolatry, pride, etc. There is no doubt that these are sins to be avoided. But is smoking a sin? Is speeding on the road a sin? How many glasses of wine can you consume before it becomes a sin? What about calling in sick when you really are not? How do we know and judge if these are sinful? The Bible does not explicitly tell us that they are. 

Romans chapter 14 is one of my absolute favourite chapters because it proves how dynamic our individual relationships are with God when it comes to walking in righteousness. Furthermore, it utterly obliterates the static dictatorship of traditional and religious, man-made Christianity. In this chapter, Paul tells us plainly, that we, as grace believers, walk in our own faith and conscience before God, and bear the consequences of our own deeds before God’s judgement seat. This is why Paul personalizes his advice when he says, 

Rom 14:22  “Hast THOU faith? have it to THYSELF before God.”, and 

Rom 14:10  “But why dost thou judge thy brother? … for WE SHALL ALL STAND [individually] before the judgment seat of Christ.  …  (12)  So then EVERY ONE OF US [individually] shall give account of HIMSELF to God.

DM#10: Debtors to the Spirit

Doctrine of the Mysteries #10

Debtors to the Spirit

Rom 8:12-14  Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh.  (13)  For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.  (14)  For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.

Our principal duty as believers, which is also the will of God for us, is to come to the knowledge of the truth, 1Tim 2:4. How do we come to the knowledge of the truth? We study the written Word of truth and learn how to rightly divide it, 2Tim 2:15. We allow the Word of God to dwell in us richly, Col 3:16. We allow it to renew our mind so that it makes us wise unto its doctrine, allowing it to reprove, correct, and instruct us.

Being led by the Spirit of God is not being led by some ethereal voice or premonitions, but rather, it is simply having a knowledge and understanding of the written Word within you. You walk by the Spirit (or walk by faith) when you obey the truth of God’s Word, applying it to your life circumstances and scenarios. Notice what Paul says here,

What do we do between justification and glorification?

What do we do between justification and glorification?

Rom 8:30 Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.

Paul tells us that if we truly believe in Jesus Christ by hearing and responding to the grace gospel, we are freely justified by the ‘decree’ of God, and we can have peace with God, and access to the grace that He provides, Rom 5:1-2.

Through faith in the gospel of grace, we are transferred from the administration of death, which is in Adam, into the administration of life, which is in Christ. When we belong to Christ’s administration, we are now identified with righteousness, peace, and life, as Paul continues to tell us,

Rom 5:17-19 For if by one man's offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.) (18) Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life. (19) For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous.

All this activity happens the moment God saves us. We do not feel anything new. We do not sense anything different. Nothing changes in our flesh or in our mind. What has changed has all happened in the spiritual realm. We have a new relationship to God. We are identified in Christ. We are sealed into the family of God. We know this and believe this because the written Word tells us.

So, what now? If I’m saved in my spirit, what happens to my life here on earth? What happens in my circumstances? What do I do from here on?

The Journey: Part 4 - The Two Natures of a Believer in Christ

Start here at the Introduction: The Journey Begins

The Journey: Part 4 - The Two Natures of a Believer in Christ

As we progress in this journey, we need to keep two things in mind,

First, to provide us hope, strength, and passion to continue, we must know what our destination is.  We are making our way to that destination of being adopted sons of God and being glorified beyond measure in our Head, Jesus Christ. The vehicle to get us there is the Word of God, and our fuel is studying the Word so that it becomes part of us, quickening us in spirit and energizing us to growth. 

Co-heirs with Christ Since believers are co-heirs with Christ (Rom.8:17), we have been given the privilege of sharing Christ's inheritance.