Are you a slave to sin?
“Therefore we have been buried with Him through baptism into death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life. For if we have become united with Him in the likeness of His death, certainly we shall also be in the likeness of His resurrection, knowing this, that our old self was crucified with Him, in order that our body of sin might be done away with, so that we would no longer be slaves to sin; for he who has died is free from sin.” Romans 6:4-7
You no longer have to be a slave to sin, as Paul writes we are free from its hold on our life. Live in Christ’s resurrection an in the glory of the Father.
Not there, still feel the tug of sin in your life? I too feel that and even slip knowingly into its trap. Am I lost, are you lost? Paul was right with us. After Romans 6 he writes Romans 7 addressing this very issue.
After talking about doing what he hates and knows he should not do, Paul says, “But if what I would not, that I do, it is no more I that do it, but sin which dwelleth in me. I find then the law, that, to me who would do good, evil is present. For I delight in the law of God after the inward man; but see a different law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity under the law of sin which is in my members. Wretched man that I am! Who shall deliver me out of the body of death? Romans 7:20-24
“There is therefore now no condemnation to them that are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus made me free from the law of sin and of death. 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.” Romans 8:1-3
So when we sin it is okay? This answer is no. While we are tempted and my give in, it cannot be a way of life. We must walk in the Spirit. “that the ordinance of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. For they that are after the flesh mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. For mind of flesh is death; but the mind of the Spirit is life and peace.” Romans 8:4-6
It is the path we choose to stay on that is the key. The longer you are on a path, the more difficult it is to get off. Walk down the path of the flesh too long and it will lead to death. Best to not even go there, but if you see yourself straying turn around quickly and get back in the Spirit and receive peace.
By Brian David Knapp Author and Columnist
Read Brian's columns at:
http://www.examiner.com/faith-and-culture-in-los-angeles/brian-knapp
Author of:
In The Hands Of The Father: My Life With God
Now available in ebook format:
Amazon
Barnes & Noble
Google
If you prefer hard cover or paperback use the following links:
Barnes & Noble
Amazon
Xulon Press
If you cannot afford a copy email me at bdknapp@yahoo.com and I will get send you a copy of my writings contained in the book. God Bless.
Read Brian's columns at:
http://www.examiner.com/faith-and-culture-in-los-angeles/brian-knapp
Please read my other writings listed on the right of this page or read my columns. I periodically add writings in both places. My only goal is to share what it means to have a amazing relationship with God and how I have achieved that in the hope you to will be able to start on that path. It is a journey that I am still on, join me.
Saturday, April 20, 2013
Tuesday, March 26, 2013
Our Sins Passd Over
“Your lamb shall be an unblemished male a year old.” Exodus 12:5a
“Moreover they shall take some of the blood and put it on the two door posts on the lintel of the houses in which they eat it. And they shall eat the flesh that same night, roasted with fire, and they shall it it with unleavened bread and bitter herbs.” Exodus 12:7-8
This is what the Father had the Israelites do to save the life of their first born in Egypt.
“For I will go through the land of Egypt on that night and will strike down all the first born in the land of Egypt.” Exodus 12:12a
“And the blood shall be a sign for you on the houses where you live; and when I see the blood I will pass over you, and no plague will befall you to destroy you when I strike the land of Egypt.” Exodus 12:13
Christ came and shed His blood to be put over our hearts to protect us from judgment. His flesh was roasted in hell fire so ours will not. Christ told us we were to eat His flesh. “And while they were eating, Jesus took some bread, and after a blessing, He broke it and gave it the disciples, and said ‘take eat; this is My body’. And He took the cup and gave thanks and gave it to them saying ‘Drink from it, all of you; for this is My blood of the covenant, which is to be shed on behalf of many for forgiveness of sins.’” Matthew 26:26-28
He is the perfect lamb; without blemish whose blood was shed for any who put the blood on the door post of their heart to show that they believe the judgment will pass over them. It is His flesh that roasted in hell fire for us to have life. Accept His blood and pierced body as the sacrifice for your sins. Eat and drink and be set free. As Pharaoh finally let the Israelites leave Egypt, Satin has lost his claim on your life. We are no longer slaves in a foreign land. We now inhabit the kingdom of God.
His blood of the covenant is from the promise He made Abraham in Genesis chapter 15, that He would offer up His blood no matter who broke the covenant. Mankind broke it and His blood was shed.
Christ is the first born whose blood was shed for us. “And He is the image of the invisible God, the first born of all creation. For in Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities – all things have been created through Him and for Him. And He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together.” Colossians 1:15-17
A first born was to be taken and He became that first born, since He was the first born of all. All things are held together in Him; our lives are held together by Jesus so we would not have to be broken and roasted. Our flesh lives because His was sacrificed.
Our sins are passed over and we are one with the first born of all creation; the one who created it all. Accept and believe and rise up anew on Easter morning.
By Brian David Knapp Author and Columnist
Read Brian's columns at:
http://www.examiner.com/faith-and-culture-in-los-angeles/brian-knapp
Author of:
In The Hands Of The Father: My Life With God
Now available in ebook format:
Kindle
Nook Book
If you prefer hard cover or paperback use the following links:
Barnes & Noble
Amazon
Xulon Press
If you cannot afford a copy email me at bdknapp@yahoo.com and I will get send you a copy of my writings contained in the book. God Bless.
Please read my other writings listed on the right of this page or read my columns. I periodically add writings in both places. My only goal is to share what it means to have a amazing relationship with God and how I have achieved that in the hope you to will be able to start on that path. It is a journey that I am still on, join me.
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