Our Ongoing Transformation through God's Word

Our Ongoing Transformation through God's Word

Salvation is not just about believing the gospel and receiving the forgiveness of sins—it is the beginning of a lifelong transformation. The moment we trust in Christ, our eternal destiny is secured, but God does not stop there. He begins a good work in us, and that work must continue and grow as we yield to His Word and walk in the Spirit.

Paul assures us in Philippians 1:6

“Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ.”

This good work is not about our outward circumstances; it is about the inner renewal of the believer. God is shaping us, preparing us, increasing us for our vocation in the Body of Christ. We are not passive in this process—we must engage with His Word, studying our doctrine, allowing it to work in us, and choosing daily to walk by its instruction.

Renewed Day by Day

Paul tells us in 2 Corinthians 4:16

“For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day.”

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:

Yield versus Obey

Yield versus Obey

The other day I was reading Romans 6 and the words “yield” and “obey” caught my attention. Before I pulled up an online dictionary to look up the word definitions, (which if you are interested, I add at the end of this article*), I got to thinking what the words were telling me. Let’s first look at the passage and then I’ll elaborate.

Rom.6:16  Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?  [17]  But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you.

I looked at that statement, “to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey”, and the word “yield” just bounced off the screen. I got to thinking that so many people see the bible as a book of rules to obey, but Paul here was using the word “yield”, not “obey”. As I continued to think about these two words, my mind veered to the two corresponding road signs and what they meant. If I drove a car and approached a yield sign, it was informing me that I should slow down and carefully observe my surroundings and then continue if all was safe and clear. It did not matter if I slowed down or stopped, but what mattered was if it was safe to continue. On the other hand, if I approach a stop sign, I must stop, even if everything is clear around me. There is a law connected to the stop sign whereas a yield sign allows me to use my own discretion. If I’m cautious but don’t stop at a yield sign, I don’t break the law, but if I don’t stop at a stop sign, I’m breaking the law, and I can be fined or incarcerated.

Verse Study: Galatians 2:20-21

Verse Study: Galatians 2:20-21 

Having posted the “fill in the blanks” puzzle yesterday, let’s actually study out this passage in Gal.2:20-21 and find out what Paul is teaching us.

Gal 2:20-21  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 am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live;

This is a statement of faith. Though we have never experienced the actual cross ourselves, we must reckon that we too have died to this flesh life, even though we continue to live in it. You might live, but your mind needs to believe that you died with Christ. You must come to reckon it as true. How do we do that? Stare at the phrase. Study it out: cross referencing this with similar verses Paul writes to gain deeper understanding of it. Meditate upon it. Let it sink into your mind until it become as real and accepted as the physical objects around you. When we grow in knowledge of the truth it will start to naturally manifest in you and you will start to bear the fruit of that knowledge through your mind becoming renewed to the truth. 

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,

Manifesting true righteousness through obedience to Christ

Manifesting true righteousness through obedience to Christ

Romans 6:16 presents a profound concept: "Know ye not that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness." 

This verse is intriguing, and many people miss the peculiarity of it. Take a look at what it says. One is either a servant of sin, which leads to death, or a servant of obedience, which leads to righteousness. You might be persuaded to interpret the verse saying that one is either a servant of sin leading to death or a servant of righteousness leading to life. However, this interpretation is contrary to what Paul taught. Let me explain. Although Paul, as pertaining to the old covenant  said, "For Moses describeth the righteousness which is of the law, That the man which doeth those things shall live by them", Rom.10:5, and to the Galatians he said, "for if there had been a law given which could have given life, verily righteousness should have been by the law", look what he said pertaining to our grace doctrine, "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.", Gal 2:20-21. You see, Paul didn't say that you serve sin unto death or righteousness unto life; there's something else you have to obey, and its obedience. But what does that mean?

Romans 5:19 tells us: "For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous."