The Four Cornerstones of Romans (Part 10: Walking after the Spirit)

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The Four Cornerstones of Romans (Part 10: Walking after the Spirit)

The first half of Romans chapter 8 is the conclusion of Paul’s discourse on explaining the foundational attributes of God’s grace. There is still much to learn on grace, as this is a topic that never ends. All through Paul’s epistles we learn higher and higher levels of God’s grace. Where Romans introduces grace from a salvation point of view, as we mature in Christ and we progress further in the ‘curriculum’ of Paul’s epistles, we will discover deeper attributes of God’s grace that pertains to our calling in Christ and our purpose in the Body of Christ, not here, in this world, but in the one to come, when we have been joined to the Head and are functioning in our fullest capacity as God’s predestined plans reveals.

The Four Cornerstones of Romans (Part 9: Widowed from the Law by Christ's Death)

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The Four Cornerstones of Romans (Part 9: Widowed from the Law by the Christ's Death)

In Romans chapter 6, Paul has put much focus on the truth that we have died to the old Adamic administration, and therefore we have much to learn and know to renew our minds to this fact. It is our minds, and the pattern of our thinking, that must come up to the same level as the reality of our justification in heaven. Because of its foundational context, this knowledge is the first thing that we should learn, and know, after we get saved. Our minds must become so in tune with what Christ’s administration means, that our actions, reactions, thoughts, and language, should change to match the reality of the attributes in this new administration we have been transferred into.

But, where Romans 6 talks about our death to Adam’s administration, it is chapter 7 that introduces our separation from another stumbling block, —the law. Paul likens the believer to have been married to the law, but now, through Christ’s death, and our union with His death, we have been widowed from the law. As important it is to understand that we are dead to Adam’s administration, it is of equal importance that we understand our widowed status to the law.

The Four Cornerstones of Romans (Part 8: Reckon yourselves as dead to sin)

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The Four Cornerstones of Romans (Part 8: Reckon yourselves as dead to sin)

I’d like to summarize things in this section and bring as much clarity to Romans 6 as possible, before we move on to chapter 7. Chapter 6 is of great importance because it is firstly a foundational chapter that will provide us with stability and grounding in our Christian walk, but secondly, it provides us with the information we need to know to ensure this foundation is being laid properly in our lives.

In Romans 5, Paul has led us through the positional aspect of justification which happens when you believe in Christ through the message of the grace gospel. Justification is a verdict of righteousness and innocence declared upon us by the imputation of Christ’s righteousness. It is God’s work and something that happens outside of our influence and control. We are literally transferred from the administration of Adam into the administration of Christ. When we are moved into Christ’s administration, EVERYTHING changes. It is this understanding (and faith) that we need to know and become very acquainted with. The section in this study called, “The Two Administrations”, is what I refer to here.

The Four Cornerstones of Romans (Part 7: The Fight Against Sin)

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The Four Cornerstones of Romans (Part 7: The Fight Against Sin)

In the last post I wrote the following:

Unlike justification that is instant, a single event of salvation, this learning process of sanctification is a lifelong journey. We grow into it. We start as babes in the knowledge of Christ. We have teething pains. Our flesh will rebel against this process continually. You will have moments of weakness and you might ‘feel’ like you are losing the battle against sin, but faith in our positional status of justification stands strong and unmoveable. There is no condemnation from this position. But we have the responsibility of reasonable service to God, Rom.12:1-2. We persist in learning and changing by the knowledge of His Word. It is the Word within us that ultimately overcomes sins.

The Four Cornerstones of Romans (Part 6: Knowing Some Things)

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The Four Cornerstones of Romans (Part 6: Knowing Some Things)

Where the focus of part 4 (of this series of post) was becoming aware that there is knowledge to gain, this part is going to deliver that knowledge.

We are still in Romans chapter 6 as part of this second cornerstone of the Christian faith, which is, God’s grace. Chapter 5 of Romans was the chapter on our justification, and how through faith in the cross work of Christ, we are transferred from Adam’s administration into the administration of Christ. The following points were discussed:

• Paul has led us through the positional aspect of justification in Romans chapter 5.
• Justification is a verdict of righteousness and innocence declared upon us by the imputation of Christ’s
• It is God’s work and something that happens outside of our influence and control.
• We are literally transferred from the administration of Adam into the administration of Christ.

The Four Cornerstones of Romans (Part 5: Gaining Knowledge)

Start this post series from the beginning, here.

The Four Cornerstones of Romans (Part 5: Gaining Knowledge)

Keep in mind that this post is a small part of a greater study. To understand this part in its proper context, one must evaluate it based on the full context of the whole study.

We are advancing through the understanding of the second cornerstone of the Romans foundation. This cornerstone deals with God’s grace, and this post follows the understanding that grace starts with justification. What is justification? It is the absolute salvation of a person by the grace of God through their faith in Jesus Christ. The following verse puts justification in a perfect summary,

Rom 4:5  But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.