Adorning the Gospel: Living a Life That Reflects the Word of God

Adorning the Gospel: Living a Life That Reflects the Word of God

The concept of "adorning the gospel of Christ" invites every believer to live in such a way that their lives amplify the beauty, value, and majesty of God’s Word. It is a call to let our actions reflect the transforming power of the gospel—not through our own strength but through our submission to the influence and direction of God’s Word within us. As Paul’s doctrine teaches, the lives we live in obedience to God’s truth can make the doctrine of our Saviour attractive, inviting others to see the glory of Christ through us.

What Does It Mean to Adorn the Gospel?

The word "adorn" carries a rich meaning. Derived from the same root as the term for "cosmetics," it implies arranging something to enhance its natural beauty and order. When we adorn the gospel, we showcase its beauty through the way we live, much like a jeweler arranging precious gems to display their brilliance. The beauty of the gospel is inherent, but our lives can reflect and magnify it, drawing others to Christ.

Paul emphasizes this principle in his instructions to bondservants in Titus 2:9-10. Through three key lessons, we learn how to adorn the gospel:

The Law of the Spirit of Life in Christ Jesus

The Law of the Spirit of Life in Christ Jesus

Spiritual life can mirror the mechanics of flight. A plane ascends against the law of gravity by leveraging the laws of lift and thrust. These principles allow the plane to defy gravity, soaring high above the clouds. Yet, should the engines fail, cutting off lift and thrust, the plane succumbs to gravity and falls. Similarly, as Paul illustrates in Romans 6-8, believers confront two opposing forces: the law of sin in the flesh and the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus. By staying connected to God's Word, actively renewing their minds, and holding fast to sound doctrine, believers can overcome the pull of the flesh and live victorious lives. However, neglecting spiritual disciplines is akin to cutting the engines—the law of sin regains control, pulling them down.

Let’s delve into this teaching and explore how believers can keep their spiritual engines running to "fly high" in their walk with Christ.

The Spiritual Battle: Flesh vs. Spirit

Paul vividly contrasts the law of sin in the flesh and the law of the Spirit of life in Romans 6-8. Romans 8:2 (KJV) states:

"For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death."

This freedom is not automatic; it requires daily engagement with God's Word and submission to His Spirit. Romans 12:2 (KJV) reinforces the need for transformation:

Romans 8: Progressing Towards Spiritual Sonship

Romans 8: Progressing Towards Spiritual Sonship

As we have explored the transformative truths of Romans 6 and 7, we see the essential steps in the believer’s journey—being dead to sin and delivered from the law. These foundational realities pave the way for the joyous achievement found in Romans 8. When these truths become functional through obedience to the Word and yielding to righteousness, we experience freedom from condemnation and enter a season of spiritual growth, progressing toward spiritual sonship.

Romans 8 captures this culmination—a triumphant declaration of the Spirit's work in us, enabling us to walk in newness of life, free from the flesh and aligned with the Spirit. This sets the stage for even deeper maturity, where we embrace Paul’s exhortation in Ephesians: “Be no more children, but grow up in the Lord” (paraphrase of Ephesians 4:14-15). Let us now dive into Romans 8:1-11 and explore how the Spirit of God operates within us to produce life, peace, and the fruits of righteousness.

Romans 8:1-4 - No Condemnation: Walking in the Spirit

Romans 8 opens with a triumphant declaration: “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit” (Romans 8:1). This is the epitome of our deliverance from sin and the law. We are no longer condemned, for the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has freed us from the law of sin and death (Romans 8:2). What the law could not accomplish due to the weakness of the flesh, God has done through the sacrifice of His Son (Romans 8:3).

Romans 7: Growing Towards Sanctification

Romans 7: Growing Towards Sanctification

The journey of a believer begins with justification through faith in Christ, as described in Romans 5:1. However, justification is not the end—it is merely the beginning. Many believers, due to a lack of spiritual knowledge, mistakenly believe they can live for God while still being carnal and yielding to sin. This was the issue with the Corinthian church. Though saved and called saints, they remained entangled in sin and immaturity.

As explored in our previous post on Romans 6, Paul taught the Corinthians that the first step to spiritual growth was to reckon themselves dead to sin and yield to the Word of God, which produces fruits of righteousness. Now, in Romans 7, we discover the next logical step in our spiritual journey: being delivered from the law. This is a critical moment of spiritual growth, where we learn to rely not on our human efforts but on the transformative work of God’s Word and Spirit within us.

Delivered from the Law: The Next Step in Spiritual Growth

When a believer recognizes that they cannot live for God while yielding to sin, as Romans 6 teaches, human nature often tempts them to take matters into their own hands. The inclination is to attempt to overcome sin through self-discipline, rules, and law—believing this will produce righteousness. But this is a grave mistake! As Paul teaches in Romans 7, the law cannot save us; it only reveals our sin and, paradoxically, increases its hold due to the law of sin in our flesh.

How to walk with Christ and do good works that pleases God

How to walk with Christ and do good works that pleases God

STATEMENT FROM SOCIAL MEDIA:

What I believe is meant by, walk with Christ, is literally in that all one has to do to become one with Christ or God, is doing good things. If we become like the image of God, ie the perfect example to follow, then we are by proxy becoming God. The more we do that is God-like, the closer we move upward. Even Christ said we could do even greater things than he did

MY REPLY:

‘Good works’ are good, but it counts for nothing if it is your own works. Paul says in Gal.2:20-21,

20 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. 21 I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain.

“I live, yet not I, but Christ.” How does that happen? Only one way: By the word of God that dwells in you richly, Col.3:16, which renews your mind and influences your thoughts and ways. You cannot become transformed into the image of Christ without the knowledge of our doctrine getting embedded in your mind and its subsequent application. As the doctrine steadily increases and starts to transform you, it is then that Christ lives in you, producing the fruits of righteousness, Rom.7:4

4 Wherefore, my brethren, ye also are become dead to the law by the body of Christ; that ye should be married to another, even to him who is raised from the dead, that we should bring forth fruit unto God.

Romans 8:1-4: No condemnation

Romans 8:1-4 KJV - No condemnation

Romans 8:1-4 KJV

[1]  There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

[2]  For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.

[3]  For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh:

[4]  That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

Therefore

The word ‘therefore’ indicates that what is about to be written is based on something that preceded it. Thus, to fully understand what Paul is about to say about ‘no condemnation’, one must be aware of what was discussed before this statement. The ‘no condemnation’ is applicable only to those who are ‘in Christ’, and ‘who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit’. Thus, to determine what is meant by ‘in Christ’, we must have knowledge of Romans 1 to 5 concerning justification, which seals us ‘in Christ’, and we must have knowledge of Romans 6 to 7 concerning sanctification, which teaches us how to walk after the Spirit. Simply put, if you do not have a knowledge and understanding of Romans 1 to 7, this verse will be void of truth and value in your life. When you come to the word ‘therefore’, it is an important indicator to make sure you are well versed with the information that precedes that statement.

No condemnation

What is the explanation on Ephesian 2:10?

What is the explanation on Ephesian 2:10?

This is the verse you reference: 

Eph.2:10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

There are three key points in this verse: God’s workmanship, good works, and before ordained that we should walk in them. Let me clarify each of these three statements to fully explain this verse.

God’s workmanship 

When we hear and respond in faith to the grace gospel, we are redeemed back to God through the payment (sacrifice) of Jesus Christ. Our regeneration and redemption translate us from the kingdom of darkness into God’s kingdom, Col.1:13, and exposes us to righteousness through His spirit and word, Rom.5:21; Rom.6:11; 1Co 2:11-12.

It is this very exposure to God’s spirit and word that begins His workmanship within us. It is HIS workmanship, not ours. Let me make this clear by reminding you of a seed planted in the ground. You can water the seed, but it is outside of your power to make it grow. Similarly, the growth and transformation within a believer is God working in them, through His written word, to will and do according to His good pleasure. The good works that are produced in the life of a believer is a result of this transformation. A believer cannot generate these works by willpower. They are the result of the spiritual fruits that increase in a believer as they grow in knowledge of the word of God, and exercise obedience unto righteousness from a renewed mind, Rom.6:16-17; Rom.12:1-2.

Reconciled AND saved by his life are different parts of God's salvation

Reconciled AND saved by his life are different parts of God's salvation

Read this verse in Romans chapter 5 and take special note of the tenses used to describe reconciliation and salvation by his life.

Rom 5:10  For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.

Let's take a deeper look at what it is saying:

--being reconciled

Reconciliation is the first part of our salvation. It is the part that the majority of believers understand and relate to. Reconciliation comes about by being justified through the hearing and believing of the grace gospel. In simple terms, Romans chapters 1 to 4 educate us on God's righteousness, man's unrighteousness and ungodliness, God's wrath upon those who reject Him, and God's grace upon those who believe in His Son. It is through this grace of God, by means of the cross of Christ and His resurrection, that God can be just and the justifier of them that believe in Jesus, Rom 3:26. 

This justification was settled 2000-years ago at the cross. God's decree is that those who believe on the cross work of His Son freely receive this justification. This is already done, hence it being past tense. We are given confirmation of this fact in chapter 5, which is the conclusion of chapters 1 to 4. Chapter 5 and verse 1 starts with the word, "Therefore...", which means that we take into account all that was said in chapters 1 to 4, and then we conclude with this:

Rom 5:1 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:  (2)  By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.

That I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead

That I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead

Php 3:7-14  But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ.  (8)  Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ,  (9)  And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:  (10)  That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;  (11)  If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead.  (12)  Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus.  (13)  Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,  (14)  I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

What does Paul mean when he says, “attaining unto the resurrection of the dead”? What is the resurrection of the dead? Well, it might not be what you think! Paul is not talking about being raised from the dead at the rapture. No! The rapture is not the context of this passage, neither does it even fit into the truths that he is teaching the Philippians. So, let’s do some bible study to see exactly what Paul is talking about.

Fulfilling the law by walking after the Spirit [of the written Word]

Fulfilling the law by walking after the Spirit [of the written Word]

There is a spirit that's been given to us in the word of God, and when we let it fill our hearts, it begins to work effectually in us to free us from the law of sin and death, so that we can serve God. In Rom.8:2-4, Paul tells us, "For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death. (3) For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: (4) That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit." The sin in our lives has already been judged, and we don’t have to carry that judgment anymore. Yes, sin exists, but we are not obligated to follow it: we are not a debtor to the flesh. God has not asked us to fix our flesh; he's asked us to reckon it dead. Quit trying to fix it. The moment we try to fix it is the moment we've given it back its power. It's dead, it's condemned; we don't have to fix anything in it.

God did this so that we could fulfill His law, which we couldn’t do in the flesh because of our sin, and now through his Spirit, the righteousness of the law is being fulfilled in us who walk not after the flesh but after the Spirit. The moment we try to fix our sinful nature ourselves, we lose the battle. God has freely given us the gift of life through His Son, who has risen from the dead. We need to learn how to come into union with Christ, because without this union to Christ through the written Word, we can be a redeemed soul that delights in God and wants to do God's will, yet never find the power to do what God wants. It’s important to understand how to live in unity with the Son of God through the Spirit [of the written Word], so that He can work his life in us to bring forth fruit unto God.

What does that mean to walk after the Spirit?

What does that mean to walk after the Spirit?

Rom 8:1  There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. 

What does that mean to walk after the Spirit?

Let me use ‘leading the blind’ as an example. If I'm a blind man, how do I live my life? I need someone else who has eyes to take me by the hand and lead me through this world. Now, in this context, who’s the blind man? That's us: we're blind. We need the Spirit to be out in front of us leading us through life saying, do this and don't do that. And where do those instructions come from? It’s all in the Word of God, and more specifically, in Paul’s epistles. We just need to learn it and know it, and then yield your members unto that leading. 

To be led by the Spirit is not complicated. Paul said the following in Corinthians,

1Cor.12:13  For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit. 

A practical analogy teaching how to study the Bible and walk in the Spirit

A practical analogy teaching how to study the Bible and walk in the Spirit

A famous chef had passed away, yet everyone was still trying to master his recipes. No matter what anyone did, from the Executive Chefs to the kitchen moms, their dishes just never had that sought after perfection that this chef produced in his day. He had authored a few books concerning his life and recipes, and one could follow his published recipes to the tee, but it never produced the same standards of taste and quality that he was renowned for. 

Then, one day, in a humble soup kitchen, in a backwater town, a social worker prepared a meal that ignited a frenzy. It was discovered that the simple meal he dished out to the homeless and destitute had the exact signature markers of that famous master chef. The aroma, the flavours, the textures, the quality and appearance. How did he do it? How did he crack the code? Reporters hounded him for answers.

This is what they learned:

How do we determine if something is a sin or not? Is this where our conscience tells us it’s wrong?

How do we determine if something is a sin or not? Is this where our conscience tells us it’s wrong?

QUESTION:

How do we determine if something is a sin or not? Is this where our conscience tells us it’s wrong? Will this work, because the reality is that most people are so used to sin, they won't feel conviction or don't have that Holy Spirit guiding them because they didn't really surrender.

ANSWER:

For the most part, you are correct. Sadly, many believers are ignorant of God’s will for them and remain ‘desensitized’ to sin. People today might come to salvation, but then they do not grow up in Christ. They remain babes in Christ, carnal Christians, not growing up sufficiently to become ‘re-sensitized’ about sin and have the Word influence them beyond their carnal desires.

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#12: Be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind

Doctrine of the Mysteries #12

The Roman epistle is the foundation laying epistle for the grace believer. It lays four cornerstones that will stablish the believer in ‘the faith’; and set them up to build upon this foundation with the doctrine presented in the rest of Paul’s letters.

The first cornerstone of the Romans foundation is understanding God’s righteousness opposed to the depravity of men. The second is understanding God’s free justification and grace through faith in Christ. The third is to gain knowledge of God’s dispensational wisdom and His purpose for both Israel’s prophecy program and the mysteries of the Body of Christ. In the fourth and last cornerstone, from chapter 12, Paul lays out the characteristics and outcomes of the application of his doctrine in the grace believer.

Be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind 

Rom 12:1-2  I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.  (2)  And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of 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,

DM#9: O wretched man that I am!

Doctrine of the Mysteries #9

Time for a quick synopsis

Paul’s mystery doctrine is a spiritual message. It cannot be received or understood by the carnal mind. The Corinthians were informed about this in the very beginning of their epistle,

1Co 2:14  But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.

Likewise, Paul starts the foundational epistle of Romans with the statement,

Rom 1:16  For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. 

Paul was stating that to continue in his writings, one had to first be saved. In the context of this post, salvation is the condition for enrolment into the curriculum. This is confirmed in the fact that the next few chapters of Romans are a presentation of the gospel, informing us that all men are lost, and need to believe in Jesus Christ to receive the free gift of justification, a quickened spirit, and atonement by the grace of God, Rom 3:23-26.

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.

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?