Understanding the Process of Salvation in Romans (Part 12 - Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound?)

Start this lesson series here: 
Understanding the Process of Salvation in Romans (Part 1)

Understanding the Process of Salvation in Romans (Part 12 - Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound?)

2Cor.6:11-13  O ye Corinthians, our mouth is open unto you, our heart is enlarged.  (12)  Ye are not straitened in us, but ye are straitened in your own bowels.  (13)  Now for a recompence in the same, (I speak as unto my children,) be ye also enlarged.

In the passage above, Paul is urging the Corinthians to be more open and receptive to his message. He expresses his affection and fatherhood towards them, desiring to bless and educate them, but points out that their hearts are closed and restricting them from fully receiving his teachings. Paul emphasizes that the restriction is not from his side but from their own hearts and attitude, and he encourages them to open up and respond to the love and openness he has shown, so that he can speak to them without limitations and have them receive the truth he could provide.

We have come to a point in Romans where this same open heartedness and faith is necessary to fully benefit from what Paul is going to teach us. We are about to step up in spirit. We are about to go into deeper spiritual truth. We are going to start receiving information that requires our obedience and our commitment if we are to advance in our Christian walk and in our faith. Is your heart enlarged? Make sure that in no way are you restricted in your reception of the inspired truth that Paul is about to give.

Abounding grace

We have spent time in Romans 1 to 5 concerning justification, the first part of salvation, and utterly saturated in God’s grace. If it were not for God’s grace, and the work of Christ done through grace, we as believers, would have no chance to be recipients of salvation. All the way through Romans 1 to 5, Paul has mentioned the grace of God in the gospel of His Son and our absolute dependency upon it. As a reminder, here are the verses concerning ‘grace’ in Romans 5,

Understanding the Process of Salvation in Romans (Part 10 - Salvation doesn’t stop at the cross, but includes resurrection too)

Start this lesson series here: 
Understanding the Process of Salvation in Romans (Part 1)

Understanding the Process of Salvation in Romans (Part 10 - Salvation doesn’t stop at the cross, but includes resurrection too)

Romans 6 to 8 is a keynote part of our Christian doctrine. Paul has fully transitioned from lessons in justification through Romans 1 to 5 and is now focused on sanctification. Justification is shelved and is settled. Those who believe in Jesus Christ: in his cross work through the gospel of grace, are saved from God's wrath and hell. Their heavenward salvation is final and sure, because it is not based on the life of the believer, but on the righteousness of Christ and God's heavenly decree to save those who believe in His Son. This is positional salvation because it is not up to the believer. It is God's decree and Christ's work. The believer is placed in Christ and sealed unto the day of salvation, Eph.1:13.

What we are going to get into now is in contrast to positional salvation. Sanctification is functional salvation because the believer has a responsibility, or as Paul puts it, a reasonable service to perform, Rom.12:1. Recall this verse,

Charity, the labour of love

Charity, the labour of love

1Tim.1:3-5 As I besought thee to abide still at Ephesus, when I went into Macedonia, that thou mightest charge some that they teach no other doctrine, (4) Neither give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which minister questions, rather than godly edifying which is in faith: so do. (5) Now the end of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned:

The word "charity" in the context of this passage is not you loving with natural affection. This is a supernatural love that comes from God. This charity is brought about by faith. Paul says in 1Thess. 1:3, “remembering without ceasing your work of faith.” What is the work of faith? Godly edifying. What is the end of that godly edifying? Charity. Thus, charity, which is this outward display of a labour of love, is formed in you, and increases in you based on your faithfulness in godly edification.

That FORM of Doctrine (Part 5 - Perform)

That FORM of Doctrine (Part 5 - Perform / Adorn)

Start this lesson series at with the Introduction here.

Perform (Adorn) 

Being transformed in the mind, by the ‘form of doctrine’ delivered to us by Paul, brings us to conform to the image of Christ. Conforming to the image of Christ is not passive. One cannot show forth Christ without action. Conforming to Christ is active and dynamic. We perform as He did in behaviour, in operation, in function. We present Christ to the world, we execute His will and judgements, we accomplish the work he works within us. All this is performed by the Word of God living within us. It is the truth of the Word that compels us, influencing our thoughts, our speech, and our actions. In Titus, Paul refers to it descriptively as ‘adorning’ the doctrine.

Tit.2:10  Not purloining, but shewing all good fidelity; that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things.

Adorn, the Greek word κοσμέω (kosmeo: Gk 2885) in the above verse, means to put in order, arrange, make ready, or prepare. It also means to ornament or adorn. Metaphorically, it can mean to embellish with honour or gain honour. Synonyms can include: Decorate, Embellish, Adorn, Beautify, Garnish. 

What does the account of Cain and Abel teach us about the only acceptable sin offering?

What does the account of Cain and Abel teach us about the only acceptable sin offering?

Gen 3:21 Unto Adam also and to his wife did the LORD God make coats of skins, and clothed them.

Shortly after Adam fell into sin, we read the above verse that tells us that the Lord God slew some sort of animal and clothed them with its hide. The covering of Adam and Eve alludes to God covering their sins, and the sacrifice of an animal alludes to the fact that the life (or lifeblood) of another was the price required for that covering.

Adam, no doubt would have passed this knowledge on to his sons. So, when the time came for both Cain and Abel to offer up a sacrifice, it was Abel’s sacrifice that pleased the Lord.

A lot of people want to twist scripture to suite their lifestyle

A lot of people want to twist scripture to suite their lifestyle

PERSONAL NOTE:

Hi friends,

A lot of my current posts have been responses that I have written to questions (or misguided statements) in social media sites. Instead of having it simply appear once and get forgotten, I like to add it here too for personal reference and for exposure to all who browse my blogs.

There is so much confusion and false advice out there today because people either post replies to bible questions based on their personal views of scripture, whether they have read or studied the bible or not, or they post replies based on modern denominational teachings, which in most cases is the doctrines of men's imaginations and not to rightly divided Word of truth.

Who is the pearl of great price? (Matthew 13:45-46)

Who is the pearl of great price? (Matthew 13:45-46)

Not who. What. The pearl of great price is the Millennial Kingdom.

Let’s look at the scripture passage below.

Mat 13:43-46 Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Who hath ears to hear, let him hear. (44) Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto treasure hid in a field; the which when a man hath found, he hideth, and for joy thereof goeth and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field. (45) Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchant man, seeking goodly pearls: (46) Who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had, and bought it.

The pearl of great price is part of an extended lesson Jesus spoke in parables. Before the pearl, we have a treasure in a field. Jesus informs us that, just like the pearl, the treasure is the Kingdom, in verse 44. Before this parable is the parable of the weeds, in verses 36–43. This is where we learn that there will be good seed and bad seed sown and harvested. The tares are gathered at harvest and thrown into the fire, but the harvest of good seed will enjoy the kingdom of their Father.

Jesus conditions everyone at all times to do THREE works for salvation

Dear reader,

I frequent a few social media sites in order to post the good news of the grace gospel and provide some insights into understanding the Bible rightly divided. It is becoming more and more apparent that people are so deceived when it comes, not only to sound Biblical doctrine, but, to the core of our faith, which is the gospel. The root of this deception is an absolute lack of Bible knowledge, not only in the earthly ministry of Christ, but more so, in the crucial lack of rightly dividing the Word between prophecy and mystery.

The reason for posting these comments from individuals is to educate you. We need to know firstly how people interpret the Word, so we can be prepared to answer them in their errors. Secondly, we need to know ourselves what the grace gospel is. Then, thirdly, we need to know what the correct understanding of the topic is based on right division.

Below is another wildly flawed understanding of salvation in this grace dispensation. Please read it and familiarize with why it is wrong and what the correct understanding is all about. Let's learn and correct these misconceptions so that we can be a voice to those who need to hear the truth.

STATEMENT:

If we don’t work at doing good works, then we will not be saved. I have no doubt about it according to Matt 25:41-46. If you doubt that, I will offer the verse that Jesus conditions everyone at all times to do this work, THREE works in fact…