DM#7: Dead to sin

Doctrine of the Mysteries #7

Dead to sin

The book of Romans does not waste any time in getting a believer straight in their faith. Romans is a foundational book, and it sets the standard, going forward, for the mystery doctrine. Having come through the first five chapters that bring us to justification, delivered to us as a free gift through Christ, and by the perfect grace of God, we come to chapter 6, an incredibly important, mile-marker chapter, and it packs a proverbial punch. The first 4-verses of Romans 6 sets a strong precedent for a believer who is committed to learning and living the mystery doctrine. Let’s see what it says,

Rom 6:1-4  What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound?  (2)  God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?  (3)  Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?  (4)  Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.

DM#3: Established by a Spiritual Gift

Doctrine of the Mysteries #3

Rom 1:11 For I long to see you, that I may impart unto you some spiritual gift, to the end ye may be established;

Established by a Spiritual Gift

The ‘spiritual gift’ that Paul was to impart upon the church at Rome was not the kind of miraculous powers that operated in the early church under the apostleship of the 12. Miracles had a specific purpose in the Jewish church at that time. Like the miracles that Jesus did, God’s power through the 12-apostles was to confirm to Jews that they operated under the ministry and blessing of God. Remember, Jews required signs for this very purpose, Joh 4:48; 1Cor 1:22.

What the Bible says about Prophecy and Tongues according to 1Cor.13 and 14

What the Bible says about Prophecy and Tongues according to 1Cor.13 and 14

In 1 Cor.13, Paul says the following,

1Co 13:8-10 Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away. 9 For we know in part, and we prophesy in part. 10 But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.

With this in mind, questions can arise from reading 1 Cor.14 where Paul encourages the desire and practice of spiritual gifts. In addition to this, what exactly is tongues? Is it the ability to supernaturally speak in foreign human languages that one has not learned, or is it an unintelligible language that is practiced in many church denominations today? Let’s see what the Bible has to say about all this.

Question #1

When that which is perfect is come

When that which is perfect is come

1Cor.13:8-12  Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away.  9  For we know in part, and we prophesy in part.  10  But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.  11  When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things.  12  For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.

The Corinthian church was established during the transitional period, where Israel, as a nation, and their prophetic program, was diminishing. God was turning His attention to the grace program, under commission of Paul, where both Jews and Gentiles were being saved by grace alone through the cross of Christ, and not by means of Israel.

So much said in so few words

So much said in so few words

Eph 2:8-9  For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:  9  Not of works, lest any man should boast.

In this ultra-short, yet dynamic scripture passage, Paul provides us with a significant amount of detail concerning the truth of our salvation. Let’s look at each key word and allow them to simply overwhelm us with gratitude.

By Grace

Grace is the pure kindness and empathy of God that allows us to receive blessing and favour we certainly don't deserve. That blessing and favour is in Jesus Christ. I cannot even start to pen the magnitude of this salvation act of God. Yes, it is a work of God, in which we have no part to contribute. We can do nothing to earn or deserve salvation. It starts with acknowledging our absolute dependency on God, then releasing ourselves utterly into His control, and being overcome by His ‘grace’. Paul uses these words to further emphasize the point,

Recognize the value and worth of this book

Recognize the value and worth of this book

My wife had run into the pharmacy, while I waited in the car. In the quietness of that moment, whilst looking out at the cars driving past, the people walking about, the clouds drifting on the winds, and the sun, soon to be setting over the green hills in the distance, I started thinking about how all this came to be, how that by words, God had spoken this all into reality.

My mind locked onto the Word of God. That book, the Bible, and all the words written into it. It’s amazing how much one’s mind can contemplate in a moment of quiet! As my thoughts drifted about, I settled on the fact that EVERY WORD in the Bible is true, Rom.3:4. Every word written in its pages is filled with God’s living Spirit and is alive, and active, Heb.4:12, and full of grace. Besides the cross of Christ, the Bible is the greatest tangible object we have in this world today. This book is given to us by God Himself. It is a gift of epic proportions, and its value is incomprehensible. Can you even imagine that when you flip through its pages, the words, as you see them laid out before you, are the very breath of God, His will, His thoughts, plans and desires. Can you even comprehend the worth of receiving these words into your mind and spirit and believing them and acting out on them. My mind raced about in this moment, just drowning in the significance and thankfulness of being able to quote some verses, or go home and read those words again.

God's Indescribable Gift

God's Indescribable (Unspeakable) Gift

2 Cor.9:15 Thanks be unto God for His unspeakable [indescribable] gift.

Rom.5:17 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.) 

Rom.6:23 for the wages of sin is death but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord 

Eph.2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 

Paul says it like this in 2 Corinthians 9:15, "Thanks be to God for His unspeakable gift". What is this gift? It is Christ who came to complete a work on our behalf; His cross-work, to die for us, to be buried, and to rise again for us and for our justification. It is an unspeakable gift! The word 'unspeakable' means to not able to be expressed in words, to wonder for words beyond the human vocabulary. What an indescribable gift!