The Journey: Part 12 - What is it to walk by faith and in the Spirit?

Start here at the Introduction: The Journey Begins

The Journey: Part 12 - What is it to walk by faith and in the Spirit?

In the very first verses of the book of Romans, Paul mentions the following,

Rom.1:17 For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.

Through the next few chapters of Romans, we are provided great detail about our justification and spiritual sanctification. Essentially, Paul tells us what happens in the spiritual realm, the operations of God on our spirit, far out of reach from our workings and control. This salvation we receive is the "from faith" part. All we can do is trust that through the cross of Christ and through the operation of God, we are saved to the uttermost.

The Journey: Part 11 - Let Us Settle Our Spiritual Position in Christ

Start here at the Introduction: The Journey Begins

The Journey: Part 11 - Let Us Settle Our Spiritual Position in Christ

The letter of Romans is written to existing believers who have already been saved by the gospel of grace. In this regard, Paul is now laying a strong foundation that will keep believers stablished (stable) in the faith, so that they will not be tossed to and fro by all manner of false, man-made doctrines.

In the previous posts of this series, labeled, "The Journey", we have covered key topics from Romans chapters 1-7. In summary these topics are as follows,

The Journey: Part 10 - We are Married to Another

Start here at the Introduction: The Journey Begins

The Journey: Part 10 - We are Married to Another

In Romans 7, Paul provides us with a very easy to understand, practical analogy, of something that occurs in the spiritual realm when a believer comes to salvation and beyond. The analogy is paralleled to a woman being bound to her husband in marriage, but if that husband dies, she is legally entitled to remarry, without being found guilty of committing adultery. In other words, the law allows her the freedom to be joined to another man due to the death of her husband. This however is not the case if her husband is not dead. If she marries in such circumstance, then she violates law and becomes an adulteress.

The Journey: Part 9 - The Babes in Corinth and the Children of Galatia

Start here at the Introduction: The Journey Begins

The Journey: Part 9 - The Babes of Corinth and the Children of Galatia

What is sanctification? It is the life-long progressive growth of your knowledge of the written Word of God and the subsequent and inevitable changes that this knowledge brings to your life after salvation. Most believers, however, stop right there at salvation. After the initial revelation of justification through the cross of Christ, there is not much growth after this. They never push on to studying the Word and seeking the deeper things of God. It always reminds me of the parable of the Sower in Matthew 13.

The Journey: Part 8 - The unfamiliar road called, "Grace"

Start here at the Introduction: The Journey Begins

The Journey: Part 8 - The unfamiliar road called, "Grace"

When it comes to this journey of sanctification, it is interesting to note that Paul tells us to keep a straight and careful course. (I'm paraphrasing here with my own analogy). If we veer off to the left, we will run into the ditch called, "the flesh". If we veer off to the right, we will run into the ditch called, "the law".

From these opening statements of Paul in Romans chapter 6, as well as the evidence of reproof and correction in his letters to Corinth and Galatia, it is apparent that these two "ditches" are the greatest hinderances and dangers we face as we begin to grow up in Christ. In this post, will expound on what is necessary to learn so we can stay on a straight course. In the next post, I will provide you with insights on the "ditches" that lie on both sides of the road, and also inform you of the dangers they pose to your safety and progression towards maturity in Christ.

The Journey: Part 7 - Sanctification, an Introduction and Motivation

Start here at the Introduction: The Journey Begins

The Journey: Part 7 - Sanctification, an Introduction and Motivation

What is sanctification?

In its basic definition, sanctification is,

• the action of separating or declaring something holy:
• the action or process of being freed from sin or purified:

So, if sanctification is the means of being separated unto God through a process of purification, the next important question to ask is, how are we sanctified? Jesus provides us a concise and powerful answer during a prayer He prayed, saying the following,

The Journey: Part 6 - Get out the map book and confirm the course

Start here at the Introduction: The Journey Begins

The Journey: Part 6 - Get out the map book and confirm the course

Taking a long road trip means that you get onto roads you have not travelled before. Every now and then you meet people on the way and in conversation you might ask for directions to confirm your course.  Though the intentions of that person, in some cases, might be good, there is always a risk in blindly following bad directions without referring to the map book.

This short analogy is true, even more so, in your spiritual journey. Getting instructions from others, without referring to the Bible for your spiritual heading, can have consequences far worse than just a wrong turn on an actual road.

False Teachers and Bad Directions