Name: Otis R Bowen Ctr for Human Servs Inc
Address: 850 North Harrison Street, Warsaw, IN, 46580
Telephone: 574-267-7169
Rating: 1.1707

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(877) 322-2450

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Otis R Bowen Ctr for Human Servs Inc

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This is really a drug and alcohol rehab at Warsaw, Indiana facilitating drug abuse treatment, detox, Buprenorphine maintenance for specified time, Buprenorphine used in treatment, Naltrexone (oral), Vivitrol (injectable Naltrexone), Prescribes/administer buprenorphine or naltrexone, Acamprosate(Campral), Disulfiram(Antabuse) and Medicines for psychiatric disorders) emphasizing mixture of Mental Health and Substance Abuse in handy Hospital inpatient, Outpatient, Outpatient detoxification, Routine inpatient treatment, Hospital inpatient detoxification and Computerized treatment surroundings.

Alcohol and Drug Addiction Treatment

With this particular customized treatment, customers only at that Warsaw, IN chemical abuse treatment centre receive optimum care unique with their needs.

Alcohol and Drug Treatment Services

Otis R Bowen Ctr for Human Servs Inc offers Services for the deaf and hard of hearing and facilitates:

Case management
Consumer-run (peer-support) services
Housing services
Nicotine replacement therapy
Non-nicotine smoking/tobacco cessation medications
Screening for tobacco use
Smoking/tobacco cessation counselling
Alcohol Detoxification
Benzodiazepines Detoxification
Cocaine Detoxification
Methamphetamines Detoxification
Opioids Detoxification
Treatment for gambling disorder
Treatment for internet use disorder
Individual counseling offered
Group counseling offered
Family counseling offered
Marital/couples counseling offered
Aftercare/continuing care
Treatment for non-substance abuse addiction disorder
Assistance with obtaining social services
Breath analyzer or blood alcohol testing
Comprehensive mental health assessment
Comprehensive substance abuse assessment
Drug or alcohol urine screening
Discharge Planning
Domestic violence services - family or partner
Employment counseling or training
HIV or AIDS education
Health education services other than HIV/AIDS or hepatitis
Mental health services
Substance abuse education
Screening for Hepatitis B
Screening for Hepatitis C
Screening for mental health disorders
Screening for substance abuse
Social skills development
Hepatitis education
TB screening

Focusing on individualized therapy, Otis R Bowen Ctr for Human Servs Inc's smoking policy is'Smoking not permitted' and requires in Female and Male and Children/adolescents, Teenagers and Adults Concentrating on the following:

Cognitive/behavioral therapy
Dialectical behavioral therapy
Substance abuse counseling approach
Trauma-related counseling
Rational emotive behavioral therapy
Brief intervention approach
Motivational interviewing
Anger management
Martix Model
Relapse prevention

Addiction Treatment Programs

Regularly handled special programs and classes are eased only at that chemical abuse rehab in Indiana teaching customers essential skills used to cope with daily challenges in sobriety. Applications and All these classes cater to the following:

Adolescents
Persons who have experienced trauma
Persons who have experienced sexual abuse

Drug and Alcohol Rehab

Getting into a successful treatment method is the first step into creating a new life. Otis R Bowen Ctr for Human Servs Inc understands this and takes Cash or self-payment, Medicaid, Medicare and Personal health insurance.

For much more specific info, we invite you to reach out to the addiction treatment centre.

Otis R Bowen Ctr for Human Servs Inc Reviews

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robertorobo1

They are doing a great thing, helping a lot of people with disabilities. A company with a mission for good, and workers with passion. Reviews cannot begin to describe the help a company like this can provide for those who are unable to even do simple things like leave a review on Google. A star system doesn’t begin to rate the good behind a company like this, only 1 five star review doesn’t do this company enough justice. Thanks Bowen for all the work you do in the community.

Tanya Bronge

I\'m not sure how places like this are allowed to operate legally. I have been under the care of a therapist and psychiatrist for 14 years. Recently, I moved to Indiana, my insurance covers the Bowen Center. First of all, it took me months to get in. I explained over the phone my diagnosis, and that Ive been medicated for years, I need to get in ASAP. They are overbooked and understaffed. I walked in for my first appointment, I wasn\'t greeted by anybody, I took in line to check in waiting for 15 minutes, while the office staff talked among eachother ignoring me. Finally I was able to check in, the woman checking me in was very rude and short with me. I suffer from anxiety, it was not a welcoming environment. Today I had my appointment for medication, it was assumed that I knew to go to the back checking in, although I said it\'s my first time here for medication. Once again, rude and unhelpful office staff. Once I met with the NP, I explained the mental health services I got in Illinois, I brought in documents and old medicine bottles. The NP ignored all of that completely, in order to get a small amount of the medication I NEED, I was subjected to a urine drug screen, I also had to keep the door open and have somebody in there with me while I peed. This crosses the line, in my 14 years of treatment, I was never forced to take a drug test for medication. The NP knew I suffered from trauma which caused my PTSD yet had me urinate in front of somebody, my first visit? I truly felt violated, this is not how you \'help\' someone dealing with trauma and anxiety. Furthermore, the NP and social worker have different ideas on what type of therapy I need. Nobody is on the same page. There isnt a psychiatrist, checking over the evaluation, or medications perscribed, its all up to the NP who is not a licensed psychiatrist. This clinic just seems to take advantage of those who are low income/on state insurance. I plan to file a formal complaint, and contact a couple offices, this was beyond absurd.

Miranda Smith

Shittiest community mental health I have ever seen. Staff uneducated and unhelpful. They are rude and want nothing to do with you. They dont even try to be friendly.

Seeking Truth

Good Dr\'s that are helping me get through some tough times

Susan Young

Awful rude people have no respect for u !! Never be back

aaron

Luke 13:3-5 King James Version Luke 13:3-5 King James Version 3 I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish. 4 Or those eighteen, upon whom the tower in Siloam fell, and slew them, think ye that they were sinners above all men that dwelt in Jerusalem? 5 I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish. 2 Corinthians 7:10 King James Version 10 For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death. Acts 17:30-31 King James Version 30 And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent: 31 Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead.

aaron

Romans 8:6-10 King James Version 6 For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. 7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. 8 So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God. 9 But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his. 10 And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness.

aaron

Ephesians 5:5-7 King James Version 5 For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. 6 Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience. 7 Be not ye therefore partakers with them. 11 And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them. 12 For it is a shame even to speak of those things which are done of them in secret. 13 But all things that are reproved are made manifest by the light: for whatsoever doth make manifest is light. 14 Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light. 15 See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, 16 Redeeming the time, because the days are evil. 1 Corinthians 6:9-11 King James Version 9 Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, 10 Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. 11 And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God. Matthew 10:28 King James Version 28 And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. Galatians 5:19-26 King James Version 19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, 20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, 21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, 23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. 24 And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. 25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. 26 Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another. 2 Corinthians 6:14 King James Version 14 Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? 2 Corinthians 6:17 King James Version 17 Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you. Revelation 21:8-10 King James Version 8 But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death. 9 And there came unto me one of the seven angels which had the seven vials full of the seven last plagues, and talked with me, saying, Come hither, I will shew thee the bride, the Lamb's wife. 10 And he carried me away in the spirit to a great and high mountain, and shewed me that great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God,Matthew 10:28 King James Version 28 And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. Philippians 2:5-11 King James Version 5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: 6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: 7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: 8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.

aaron

Hebrews 9:27 King James Version Bible And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment: Matthew 12:36But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment. Matthew 12:37 For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned john 5:24 King James Version Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.Romans 8 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and 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:That the righteousness 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 do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God. 9 But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his. And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness. But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh. For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together. For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God.For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope, Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God.For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now. And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body. For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for? But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it. Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God. And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.

aaron

the bible teaches if people die in there sins they will go to hell your souls will forever be in torment and suffering in hell the bible says most people go to hell if your cussing lying the bible says all liars will have their part in the lake of fire if you are a homosexual if you are a thief if you say gods name in vain oh my g and are using gods name as a cuss word if your committing adultery and fornicating if your lusting and have tattoos and getting drunk and smoking are sins and the bible jesus said whoever looks at a women to lust for her has committed adultery in his heart Not that which goes into the mouth defile a man but that which comes out of the mouth this defile a man the bible says to judge righteously and a spiritual man judges all things it is appointed unto men once to die but after this the judgment God resist the proud but gives grace unto the humble But your iniquities have separated between you and your God and your sins have hid his face from you that he will not hear call upon the name of the lord and you shall be saved the righteous cry out and the lord hears and delivers us out of all our troubles and humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God casting all your cares on him because he cares for you He that cover his sins shall not prosper but whoso confess and forsake them shall have mercy If we confess our sins he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness I tell you Nay but except ye repent ye shall all likewise perish But know this that in the last days perilous times will come For men will be lovers of themselves lovers of money boasters proud blasphemers disobedient to parents unthankful unholy unloving unforgiving slanderers without self control brutal despisers of good traitors headstrong haughty lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God having a form of godliness but denying its power And from such people turn away A double minded man is unstable in all his ways the holy spirit spoke through the men who wrote the king james bible holy men of god wrote the bible its inspired by god For by grace are ye saved through faith and that not of yourselves it is the gift of god not of works lest any man should boast jesus died for all our sins 2000 years ago on the cross he was holy he defeated sin and death and rose on the third day and he is alive and jesus took away all my burdens and sinful anger fears doubts shame guilt irritations worries confusions out of my mind and life forever because i cried out to him in tears and he heard my cry and delivered me out of all my troubles my weary soul rest in jesus forever and he put his sweet holy spirit inside of me to convict me of all my sins and jesus is healer in my life and the holy spirit gives me love meekness gentleness patience peace self control joy faithfulness forever in my soul god renewed my mind and changed my life by his words and by the spirit and i was created after gods image of true righteousness and holiness by gods words and the spirit jesus reconciled me back to god For thou art an holy people unto the LORD thy God the LORD thy God hath chosen thee to be a special people unto himself above all people that are upon the face of the earth happiness comes from the world its temporary i have true spiritual everlasting joy from the holy spirit that lives in me of my salvation in my soul forever For to be carnally minded is death but to be spiritually minded is life and peace the carnal mind is enmity against God for it is not subject to the law of God neither indeed can be Ye adulterers and adulteresses know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God obey god For the wages of sin is death but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord jesus made me a saint forever and im separate from sinners and the world Pride goeth before destruction and an haughty spirit before a fall. i have forsaken everyone and everything for jesus name sake because jesus gave me eternal life.

aaron

Bible Verses About Cursing Bible verses related to Cursing from the King James Version (KJV) by Relevance - Sort By Book Order Ephesians 4:29 - Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers. Ephesians 5:4 - Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks. James 3:8-10 - But the tongue can no man tame; [it is] an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. (Read More...) James 1:26 - If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man's religion [is] vain. Colossians 3:8 - But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth. Colossians 4:6 - Let your speech [be] alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man. Luke 6:28 - Bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you. Romans 12:14 - Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not. Matthew 15:18-20 - But those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart; and they defile the man. (Read More...) Exodus 20:7 - Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain; for the LORD will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain. Matthew 15:11 - Not that which goeth into the mouth defileth a man; but that which cometh out of the mouth, this defileth a man. Matthew 15:10-11 - And he called the multitude, and said unto them, Hear, and understand: (Read More...) Psalms 109:17 - As he loved cursing, so let it come unto him: as he delighted not in blessing, so let it be far from him. Proverbs 18:21 - Death and life [are] in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.

aaron

aaron minch

Holy Land Site Experience the Holy Land Online! Search... Sodom & Gomorrah: Example of Judgment Sodom & Gomorrah Example of Judgment to Come Location 1. Sodom and Gomorrah are located around the eastern side of the Dead Sea. 2. Gomorrah is located at the base of Masada, and Sodom is about 13 miles (20 km.) south of Gomorrah. 3. Though the actual locations of the cities are somewhat disputed, the growing evidence reveals that the locations are quite certain. This evidence is provided in the following section. Historical Background 1. Josephus, a historian writer during the time of Christ, said the ruins could still be clearly seen in his day. 2. Archeologists have discovered around 1.5 million bodies in graves in these areas around Sodom and Gomorrah. 3. There are a lot of brimstone (old name for sulfur) balls in these cities. 4. This sulfur is unique and different from all other sulfur found in the world. It is around 90-95% pure. It is white, unlike any other place in the world. It is so pure you can light it on fire, and it burns a hot blue flame. These sulfur balls are not found between the cities. 5. There is a lot of ash in these areas which fits the biblical narrative. 2 Peter 2:6: And if He condemned the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah to destruction by reducing them to ashes, having made them an example to those who would live ungodly lives thereafter. 6. The material of these city formations is calcium sulfate, which is what limestone and sulfur become when heated. 7. The choice building material in Israel is limestone, so these cities fit the scientific evidence as well. 8. There is a lot of charcoal layers found in the strata of these cities. 9. The amount of ash, charcoal, and calcium sulfate reveal overwhelming evidence of extreme heat in these cities. 10. There is also no geothermal activity in these areas to explain the ash, charcoal, and calcium sulfate. 11. In addition, there are many unexplained shapes in these areas that look like buildings, Sphinxes, pyramids, and palaces. 12. These cities existed around 4,000 years ago, so their remains would be difficult to distinguish. Plus, God destroyed and reduced them to ashes as well. 13. These cities fit the location as described in the Bible. Genesis 13:10: Lot lifted up his eyes and saw all the valley of the Jordan, that it was well watered everywhere—this was before the Lord destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah—like the garden of the Lord, like the land of Egypt as you go to Zoar [Zoar has been identified as being south of Sodom and Gomorrah]. 14. Because the Dead Sea basin used to be like the Garden of Eden, it was an extremely desirable climate that was great for agriculture and life in general. It was, therefore, a very populated area. 15. The thought of God raining down fire and brimstone upon the cities and peoples in this area is staggering and gives me chills up and down my spine. This fire and brimstone were so hot and intense it destroyed everything in its wake. 16. God also used Sodom and Gomorrah to refer to all of the cities of the Dead Sea basin. Places of Interest 1. Sodom 2. Gomorrah 3. Zoar 4. Admah 5. Zeboiim 6. Masada 7. Lot’s Wife 8. Sphinx 9. Pyramid Sodom and Gomorrah in the Bible 1. God told Abraham through two angels about His plan to destroy Sodom and Gomorrah. Genesis 18:20–21: And the Lord said, “The outcry of Sodom and Gomorrah is indeed great, and their sin is exceedingly grave. 21 I will go down now and see if they have done entirely according to its outcry, which has come to Me; and if not, I will know.” 2. During a dialogue between Abraham and God, Abraham pleaded with God to spare the cities on account of the righteous ones living in them (Gen. 18:22–31). 3. God told Abraham that He would spare the cities if only 10 righteous people could be found in them. Genesis 18:32-33: And He said, “I will not destroy it on account of the ten.” 33 As soon as He had finished speaking to Abraham the Lord departed, and Abraham returned to his place. 4. In the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah lived hundreds of thousands of people. The fact that there were not even 10 righteous people speaks of the extreme wickedness of these cities. Genesis 13:13: Now the men of Sodom were wicked exceedingly and sinners against the Lord. 5. The wickedness of Sodom revealed. Genesis 19:1–11: Now the two angels came to Sodom in the evening as Lot was sitting in the gate of Sodom. When Lot saw them, he rose to meet them and bowed down with his face to the ground. 2 And he said, “Now behold, my lords, please turn aside into your servant’s house, and spend the night, and wash your feet; then you may rise early and go on your way.” They said however, “No, but we shall spend the night in the square.” 3 Yet he urged them strongly, so they turned aside to him and entered his house; and he prepared a feast for them, and baked unleavened bread, and they ate. 4 Before they lay down, the men of the city, the men of Sodom, surrounded the house, both young and old, all the people from every quarter; 5 and they called to Lot and said to him, “Where are the men who came to you tonight? Bring them out to us that we may have relations with them.” 6 But Lot went out to them at the doorway, and shut the door behind him, 7 and said, “Please, my brothers, do not act wickedly. 8 Now behold, I have two daughters who have not had relations with man; please let me bring them out to you, and do to them whatever you like; only do nothing to these men, inasmuch as they have come under the shelter of my roof.” 9 But they said, “Stand aside.” Furthermore, they said, “This one came in as an alien, and already he is acting like a judge; now we will treat you worse than them.” So they pressed hard against Lot and came near to break the door. 10 But the men [two angels] reached out their hands and brought Lot into the house with them, and shut the door. 11 They struck the men who were at the doorway of the house with blindness, both small and great, so that they wearied themselves trying to find the doorway. 6. God warns Lot and his family to flee for their lives. Genesis 19:12–17: Then the two men said to Lot, “Whom else have you here? A son-in-law, and your sons, and your daughters, and whomever you have in the city, bring them out of the place; 13 for we are about to destroy this place, because their outcry has become so great before the Lord that the Lord has sent us to destroy it.” 14 Lot went out and spoke to his sons-in-law, who were to marry his daughters, and said, “Up, get out of this place, for the Lord will destroy the city.” But he appeared to his sons-in-law to be jesting. 15 When morning dawned, the angels urged Lot, saying, “Up, take your wife and your two daughters who are here, or you will be swept away in the punishment of the city.” 16 But he hesitated. So the men seized his hand and the hand of his wife and the hands of his two daughters, for the compassion of the Lord was upon him; and they brought him out, and put him outside the city. 17 When they had brought them outside, one [angel] said, “Escape for your life! Do not look behind you, and do not stay anywhere in the valley; escape to the mountains, or you will be swept away.” 7. God destroys Sodom and Gomorrah. Genesis 19:23–29: The sun had risen over the earth when Lot came to Zoar [located south of Sodom and Gomorrah]. 24 Then the Lord rained on Sodom and Gomorrah brimstone and fire from the Lord out of heaven, 25 and He overthrew those cities, and all the valley, and all the inhabitants of the cities, and what grew on the ground. 26 But his wife, from behind him, looked back, and she became a pillar of salt. 27 Now Abraham arose early in the morning and went to the place where he had stood before the Lord; 28 and he looked down toward Sodom and Gomorrah, and toward all the land of the valley, and he saw, and behold, the smoke of the land ascended like the smoke of a furnace. 29 Thus, it came about, when God destroyed the cities of the valley, that God remembered Abraham, and sent Lot out of the midst of the overthrow, when He overthrew the cities in which Lot lived. God used Sodom and Gomorrah as examples of judgment upon the ungodly throughout the Bible. 1. Moses used Sodom and Gomorrah as warnings for the future generations of the Israelites. Deuteronomy 29:23: All its land is brimstone and salt, a burning waste, unsown and unproductive, and no grass grows in it, like the overthrow of Sodom and Gomorrah, Admah and Zeboiim, which the Lord overthrew in His anger and in His wrath. God specifically states that He destroyed two other cities besides Sodom and Gomorrah (Adman and Zeboiim). However, it appears He also destroyed Zoar because after Lot left Zoar his two daughters said there was no one in the land for them to marry. 2. The prophets continually used Sodom and Gomorrah as examples of God’s wrath on the ungodly. Jeremiah 49:18: Like the overthrow of Sodom and Gomorrah with its neighbors,” says the Lord, “no one will live there, nor will a son of man reside in it.” Lamentations 4:6: For the iniquity of the daughter of my people Is greater than the sin of Sodom, which was overthrown as in a moment, and no hands were turned toward her. 3. Jesus used Sodom and Gomorrah as examples of God’s judgment on the ungodly. Luke 17:28–30: It was the same as happened in the days of Lot: they were eating, they were drinking, they were buying, they were selling, they were planting, they were building; but on the day that Lot went out from Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven and destroyed them all. It will be just the same on the day that the Son of Man is revealed. 4. The Apostles used Sodom and Gomorrah as examples of God’s coming judgment on the ungodly. 2 Peter 2:4–10: For if God did not spare angels when they sinned, but cast them into hell and committed them to pits of darkness, reserved for judgment; and did not spare the ancient world, but preserved Noah, a preacher of righteousness, with seven others, when He brought a flood upon the world of the ungodly; and if He condemned the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah to destruction by reducing them to ashes, having made them an example to those who would live ungodly lives thereafter; and if He rescued righteous Lot, oppressed by the sensual conduct of unprincipled men (for by what he saw and heard that righteous man, while living among them, felt his righteous soul tormented day after day by their lawless deeds), then the Lord knows how to rescue the godly from temptation, and to keep the unrighteous under punishment for the day of judgment, and especially those who indulge the flesh in its corrupt desires and despise authority. Jude 1:5–7: Now I want to remind you, although you once fully knew it, that Jesus, who saved a people out of the land of Egypt, afterward destroyed those who did not believe. 6 And the angels who did not stay within their own position of authority, but left their proper dwelling, he has kept in eternal chains under gloomy darkness until the judgment of the great day— 7 just as Sodom and Gomorrah and the surrounding cities, which likewise indulged in sexual immorality and pursued unnatural desire, serve as an example by undergoing a punishment of eternal fire. Repeatedly, throughout the accounts of the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah, the sin of homosexuality is highlighted as the main wickedness for which God destroyed them. Some, who defend homosexuality, claim that God destroyed them because of their lack of hospitality. 5. God uses the same imagery of fire and brimstone in the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah as for what hell will be like. Revelation 20:10: And the devil who deceived them was thrown into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are also; and they will be tormented day and night forever and ever. Faith Lesson from Sodom and Gomorrah 1. The lesson from Sodom and Gomorrah is a serious, sobering message we should allow to sink in deeply. 2. The primary sin for which God destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah was homosexuality. However, they sinned in many other ways as well. 3. Sodom and Gomorrah are a foreshadow of what hell will be like. 4. Jesus talked about how His second coming would be like that of Sodom and Gomorrah. Jesus also spoke more about hell than heaven. 5. If God, the prophets, Christ, and the apostles used Sodom and Gomorrah as an example of the eternal judgment in hell that awaits the ungodly, then we should do the same today as well. 6. God is a God of love and has done everything He can to save us, but for those who reject His offer of salvation, eternal suffering in the Lake of Fire awaits them (Rev. 20:10). 2 Peter 2:6 King James Version 6 And turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrha into ashes condemned them with an overthrow, making them an ensample unto those that after should live ungodly; 2 Chronicles 7:14 King James Version 14 If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land. Isaiah 55:6-9 King James Version 6 Seek ye the Lord while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near: 7 Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the Lord, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon. 8 For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord. 9 For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts. you can make your thoughts be gods thoughts and his ways be your ways if you let his thoughts be your thoughts and his ways be your ways and god will make his ways be your ways and thoughts be your thoughts by the power of the holy spirit in you and by his words. 1 John 5:4 King James Version 4 For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.Jude 7 King James Version 7 Even as Sodom and Gomorrha, and the cities about them in like manner, giving themselves over to fornication, and going after strange flesh, are set forth for an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire.Genesis 19 King James Version 19 And there came two angels to Sodom at even; and Lot sat in the gate of Sodom: and Lot seeing them rose up to meet them; and he bowed himself with his face toward the ground; 2 And he said, Behold now, my lords, turn in, I pray you, into your servant's house, and tarry all night, and wash your feet, and ye shall rise up early, and go on your ways. And they said, Nay; but we will abide in the street all night. 3 And he pressed upon them greatly; and they turned in unto him, and entered into his house; and he made them a feast, and did bake unleavened bread, and they did eat. 4 But before they lay down, the men of the city, even the men of Sodom, compassed the house round, both old and young, all the people from every quarter: 5 And they called unto Lot, and said unto him, Where are the men which came in to thee this night? bring them out unto us, that we may know them. 6 And Lot went out at the door unto them, and shut the door after him, 7 And said, I pray you, brethren, do not so wickedly. 8 Behold now, I have two daughters which have not known man; let me, I pray you, bring them out unto you, and do ye to them as is good in your eyes: only unto these men do nothing; for therefore came they under the shadow of my roof. 9 And they said, Stand back. And they said again, This one fellow came in to sojourn, and he will needs be a judge: now will we deal worse with thee, than with them. And they pressed sore upon the man, even Lot, and came near to break the door. 10 But the men put forth their hand, and pulled Lot into the house to them, and shut to the door. 11 And they smote the men that were at the door of the house with blindness, both small and great: so that they wearied themselves to find the door. 12 And the men said unto Lot, Hast thou here any besides? son in law, and thy sons, and thy daughters, and whatsoever thou hast in the city, bring them out of this place: 13 For we will destroy this place, because the cry of them is waxen great before the face of the Lord; and the Lord hath sent us to destroy it. 14 And Lot went out, and spake unto his sons in law, which married his daughters, and said, Up, get you out of this place; for the Lord will destroy this city. But he seemed as one that mocked unto his sons in law. 15 And when the morning arose, then the angels hastened Lot, saying, Arise, take thy wife, and thy two daughters, which are here; lest thou be consumed in the iniquity of the city. 16 And while he lingered, the men laid hold upon his hand, and upon the hand of his wife, and upon the hand of his two daughters; the Lord being merciful unto him: and they brought him forth, and set him without the city. 17 And it came to pass, when they had brought them forth abroad, that he said, Escape for thy life; look not behind thee, neither stay thou in all the plain; escape to the mountain, lest thou be consumed. 18 And Lot said unto them, Oh, not so, my Lord: 19 Behold now, thy servant hath found grace in thy sight, and thou hast magnified thy mercy, which thou hast shewed unto me in saving my life; and I cannot escape to the mountain, lest some evil take me, and I die: 20 Behold now, this city is near to flee unto, and it is a little one: Oh, let me escape thither, (is it not a little one?) and my soul shall live. 21 And he said unto him, See, I have accepted thee concerning this thing also, that I will not overthrow this city, for the which thou hast spoken. 22 Haste thee, escape thither; for I cannot do anything till thou be come thither. Therefore the name of the city was called Zoar. 23 The sun was risen upon the earth when Lot entered into Zoar. 24 Then the Lord rained upon Sodom and upon Gomorrah brimstone and fire from the Lord out of heaven; 25 And he overthrew those cities, and all the plain, and all the inhabitants of the cities, and that which grew upon the ground. 26 But his wife looked back from behind him, and she became a pillar of salt. 27 And Abraham gat up early in the morning to the place where he stood before the Lord: 28 And he looked toward Sodom and Gomorrah, and toward all the land of the plain, and beheld, and, lo, the smoke of the country went up as the smoke of a furnace. 29 And it came to pass, when God destroyed the cities of the plain, that God remembered Abraham, and sent Lot out of the midst of the overthrow, when he overthrew the cities in the which Lot dwelt. 30 And Lot went up out of Zoar, and dwelt in the mountain, and his two daughters with him; for he feared to dwell in Zoar: and he dwelt in a cave, he and his two daughters. 31 And the firstborn said unto the younger, Our father is old, and there is not a man in the earth to come in unto us after the manner of all the earth: 32 Come, let us make our father drink wine, and we will lie with him, that we may preserve seed of our father. 33 And they made their father drink wine that night: and the firstborn went in, and lay with her father; and he perceived not when she lay down, nor when she arose. 34 And it came to pass on the morrow, that the firstborn said unto the younger, Behold, I lay yesternight with my father: let us make him drink wine this night also; and go thou in, and lie with him, that we may preserve seed of our father. 35 And they made their father drink wine that night also: and the younger arose, and lay with him; and he perceived not when she lay down, nor when she arose. 36 Thus were both the daughters of Lot with child by their father. 37 And the first born bare a son, and called his name Moab: the same is the father of the Moabites unto this day. 38 And the younger, she also bare a son, and called his name Benammi: the same is the father of the children of Ammon unto this day.Sodom’s evils described From the creation, Paul explained, mankind quickly began drifting away from God’s ways (Romans 1:20-25). As mankind went astray, men and women began to exchange the wholesome, God-ordained use of sex for vile and shameful passions (verses 26-27). Paul also listed a number of other sinful behaviors that humans began practicing as they turned from God (verses 28-31). Likewise addressing sexual immorality, the apostle Jude said that Sodom and Gomorrah, “having given themselves over to sexual immorality and gone after strange flesh, are set forth as an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire” (Jude 1:7). What Jude called “strange flesh” (“unnatural lust,” Revised Standard Version) is often called “alternative lifestyles” in our modern age. The term sounds so innocent in our culture, but this denotes sexual behavior that is unnatural and offensive to God (Barnes’ Notes on the Bible, Jude 1:7). When we read Genesis 19:1-8, it becomes easy to see that this is what both Paul and Jude had in mind. Sodom’s society was steeped in widespread sexual immorality, including homosexual acts and vicious rapes (verses 4-5). The residents of Sodom had become so evil that God could not find even 10 righteous people among them (Genesis 18:32). More sins of Sodom In the book of Ezekiel, God listed some of the other sins of Sodom in the context of showing how Judah had become much like Sodom. God told Judah, “Look, this was the iniquity of your sister Sodom: She and her daughter had pride, fullness of food, and abundance of idleness; neither did she strengthen the hand of the poor and needy. And they [the Sodomites] were haughty and committed abomination before Me; therefore I took them away as I saw fit” (Ezekiel 16:49-50). God also compared the Jewish religious leaders in Jerusalem with the people of Sodom. “They commit adultery and walk in lies; they also strengthen the hands of evildoers, so that no one turns back from his wickedness. All of them are like Sodom to Me, and her inhabitants like Gomorrah” (Jeremiah 23:14). When the leadership of a society doesn’t set a good moral example and evil is allowed to flourish, the population will generally decline toward the same bad behavior (Ecclesiastes 8:11). To learn more about the similar societal conditions before the Flood in Noah’s day, read “As in the Days of Noah.” Isaiah 13 King James Version 13 The burden of Babylon, which Isaiah the son of Amoz did see. 2 Lift ye up a banner upon the high mountain, exalt the voice unto them, shake the hand, that they may go into the gates of the nobles. 3 I have commanded my sanctified ones, I have also called my mighty ones for mine anger, even them that rejoice in my highness. 4 The noise of a multitude in the mountains, like as of a great people; a tumultuous noise of the kingdoms of nations gathered together: the Lord of hosts mustereth the host of the battle. 5 They come from a far country, from the end of heaven, even the Lord, and the weapons of his indignation, to destroy the whole land. 6 Howl ye; for the day of the Lord is at hand; it shall come as a destruction from the Almighty. 7 Therefore shall all hands be faint, and every man's heart shall melt: 8 And they shall be afraid: pangs and sorrows shall take hold of them; they shall be in pain as a woman that travaileth: they shall be amazed one at another; their faces shall be as flames. 9 Behold, the day of the Lord cometh, cruel both with wrath and fierce anger, to lay the land desolate: and he shall destroy the sinners thereof out of it. 10 For the stars of heaven and the constellations thereof shall not give their light: the sun shall be darkened in his going forth, and the moon shall not cause her light to shine. 11 And I will punish the world for their evil, and the wicked for their iniquity; and I will cause the arrogancy of the proud to cease, and will lay low the haughtiness of the terrible. 12 I will make a man more precious than fine gold; even a man than the golden wedge of Ophir. 13 Therefore I will shake the heavens, and the earth shall remove out of her place, in the wrath of the Lord of hosts, and in the day of his fierce anger. 14 And it shall be as the chased roe, and as a sheep that no man taketh up: they shall every man turn to his own people, and flee every one into his own land. 15 Every one that is found shall be thrust through; and every one that is joined unto them shall fall by the sword. 16 Their children also shall be dashed to pieces before their eyes; their houses shall be spoiled, and their wives ravished. 17 Behold, I will stir up the Medes against them, which shall not regard silver; and as for gold, they shall not delight in it. 18 Their bows also shall dash the young men to pieces; and they shall have no pity on the fruit of the womb; their eyes shall not spare children. 19 And Babylon, the glory of kingdoms, the beauty of the Chaldees' excellency, shall be as when God overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah. 20 It shall never be inhabited, neither shall it be dwelt in from generation to generation: neither shall the Arabian pitch tent there; neither shall the shepherds make their fold there. 21 But wild beasts of the desert shall lie there; and their houses shall be full of doleful creatures; and owls shall dwell there, and satyrs shall dance there. 22 And the wild beasts of the islands shall cry in their desolate houses, and dragons in their pleasant palaces: and her time is near to come, and her days shall not be prolonged. Psalm 46 King James Version 46 God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. 2 Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; 3 Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof. Selah. 4 There is a river, the streams whereof shall make glad the city of God, the holy place of the tabernacles of the most High. 5 God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved: God shall help her, and that right early. 6 The heathen raged, the kingdoms were moved: he uttered his voice, the earth melted. 7 The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah. 8 Come, behold the works of the Lord, what desolations he hath made in the earth. 9 He maketh wars to cease unto the end of the earth; he breaketh the bow, and cutteth the spear in sunder; he burneth the chariot in the fire. 10 Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth. 11 The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah.Hebrews 12:6-8 King James VersionHebrews 12:26-29 King James Version 26 Whose voice then shook the earth: but now he hath promised, saying, Yet once more I shake not the earth only, but also heaven. 27 And this word, Yet once more, signifieth the removing of those things that are shaken, as of things that are made, that those things which cannot be shaken may remain. 28 Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear: 29 For our God is a consuming fire.Leviticus 20 King James Version 20 And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying, 2 Again, thou shalt say to the children of Israel, Whosoever he be of the children of Israel, or of the strangers that sojourn in Israel, that giveth any of his seed unto Molech; he shall surely be put to death: the people of the land shall stone him with stones. 3 And I will set my face against that man, and will cut him off from among his people; because he hath given of his seed unto Molech, to defile my sanctuary, and to profane my holy name. 4 And if the people of the land do any ways hide their eyes from the man, when he giveth of his seed unto Molech, and kill him not: 5 Then I will set my face against that man, and against his family, and will cut him off, and all that go a whoring after him, to commit whoredom with Molech, from among their people. 6 And the soul that turneth after such as have familiar spirits, and after wizards, to go a whoring after them, I will even set my face against that soul, and will cut him off from among his people. 7 Sanctify yourselves therefore, and be ye holy: for I am the Lord your God. 8 And ye shall keep my statutes, and do them: I am the Lord which sanctify you. 9 For every one that curseth his father or his mother shall be surely put to death: he hath cursed his father or his mother; his blood shall be upon him. 10 And the man that committeth adultery with another man's wife, even he that committeth adultery with his neighbour's wife, the adulterer and the adulteress shall surely be put to death. 11 And the man that lieth with his father's wife hath uncovered his father's nakedness: both of them shall surely be put to death; their blood shall be upon them. 12 And if a man lie with his daughter in law, both of them shall surely be put to death: they have wrought confusion; their blood shall be upon them. 13 If a man also lie with mankind, as he lieth with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination: they shall surely be put to death; their blood shall be upon them. 14 And if a man take a wife and her mother, it is wickedness: they shall be burnt with fire, both he and they; that there be no wickedness among you. 15 And if a man lie with a beast, he shall surely be put to death: and ye shall slay the beast. 16 And if a woman approach unto any beast, and lie down thereto, thou shalt kill the woman, and the beast: they shall surely be put to death; their blood shall be upon them. 17 And if a man shall take his sister, his father's daughter, or his mother's daughter, and see her nakedness, and she see his nakedness; it is a wicked thing; and they shall be cut off in the sight of their people: he hath uncovered his sister's nakedness; he shall bear his iniquity. 18 And if a man shall lie with a woman having her sickness, and shall uncover her nakedness; he hath discovered her fountain, and she hath uncovered the fountain of her blood: and both of them shall be cut off from among their people. 19 And thou shalt not uncover the nakedness of thy mother's sister, nor of thy father's sister: for he uncovereth his near kin: they shall bear their iniquity. 20 And if a man shall lie with his uncle's wife, he hath uncovered his uncle's nakedness: they shall bear their sin; they shall die childless. 21 And if a man shall take his brother's wife, it is an unclean thing: he hath uncovered his brother's nakedness; they shall be childless. 22 Ye shall therefore keep all my statutes, and all my judgments, and do them: that the land, whither I bring you to dwell therein, spue you not out. 23 And ye shall not walk in the manners of the nation, which I cast out before you: for they committed all these things, and therefore I abhorred them. 24 But I have said unto you, Ye shall inherit their land, and I will give it unto you to possess it, a land that floweth with milk and honey: I am the Lord your God, which have separated you from other people. 25 Ye shall therefore put difference between clean beasts and unclean, and between unclean fowls and clean: and ye shall not make your souls abominable by beast, or by fowl, or by any manner of living thing that creepeth on the ground, which I have separated from you as unclean. 26 And ye shall be holy unto me: for I the Lord am holy, and have severed you from other people, that ye should be mine. 27 A man also or woman that hath a familiar spirit, or that is a wizard, shall surely be put to death: they shall stone them with stones: their blood shall be upon them.Ephesians 5 King James Version 5 Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children; 2 And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour. 3 But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints; 4 Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks. 5 For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. 6 Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience. 7 Be not ye therefore partakers with them. 8 For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light: 9 (For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;) 10 Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord. 11 And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them. 12 For it is a shame even to speak of those things which are done of them in secret. 13 But all things that are reproved are made manifest by the light: for whatsoever doth make manifest is light. 14 Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light. 15 See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, 16 Redeeming the time, because the days are evil. 17 Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is. 18 And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit; 19 Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord; 20 Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ; 21 Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God. 22 Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord. 23 For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body. 24 Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing. 25 Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; 26 That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, 27 That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish. 28 So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself. 29 For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church: 30 For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones. 31 For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh. 32 This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church. 33 Nevertheless let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself; and the wife see that she reverence her husband. Ephesians 2:2-4 King James Version 2 Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: 3 Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others. 4 But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, Colossians 1 King James Version 1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timotheus our brother, 2 To the saints and faithful brethren in Christ which are at Colosse: Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 3 We give thanks to God and the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you, 4 Since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus, and of the love which ye have to all the saints, 5 For the hope which is laid up for you in heaven, whereof ye heard before in the word of the truth of the gospel; 6 Which is come unto you, as it is in all the world; and bringeth forth fruit, as it doth also in you, since the day ye heard of it, and knew the grace of God in truth: 7 As ye also learned of Epaphras our dear fellowservant, who is for you a faithful minister of Christ; 8 Who also declared unto us your love in the Spirit. 9 For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; 10 That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God; 11 Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness; 12 Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: 13 Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: 14 In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins: 15 Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature: 16 For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: 17 And he is before all things, and by him all things consist. 18 And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence. 19 For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell; 20 And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven. 21 And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled 22 In the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight: 23 If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard, and which was preached to every creature which is under heaven; whereof I Paul am made a minister; 24 Who now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for his body's sake, which is the church: 25 Whereof I am made a minister, according to the dispensation of God which is given to me for you, to fulfil the word of God; 26 Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints: 27 To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory: 28 Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus: 29 Whereunto I also labour, striving according to his working, which worketh in me mightily.Ephesians 1:13-14 King James Version 13 In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, 14 Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.Bible Verses About Sodom Bible verses related to Sodom from the King James Version (KJV) by Relevance - Sort By Book Order Genesis 19:1-38 - And there came two angels to Sodom at even; and Lot sat in the gate of Sodom: and Lot seeing [them] rose up to meet them; and he bowed himself with his face toward the ground; (Read More...) Jude 1:7 - Even as Sodom and Gomorrha, and the cities about them in like manner, giving themselves over to fornication, and going after strange flesh, are set forth for an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire. Ezekiel 16:49-50 - Behold, this was the iniquity of thy sister Sodom, pride, fulness of bread, and abundance of idleness was in her and in her daughters, neither did she strengthen the hand of the poor and needy. (Read More...) Leviticus 18:22 - Thou shalt not lie with mankind, as with womankind: it [is] abomination. Genesis 18:20 - And the LORD said, Because the cry of Sodom and Gomorrah is great, and because their sin is very grievous; Luke 10:10-13 - But into whatsoever city ye enter, and they receive you not, go your ways out into the streets of the same, and say, (Read More...)2 Corinthians 5 King James Version 5 For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. 2 For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed upon with our house which is from heaven: 3 If so be that being clothed we shall not be found naked. 4 For we that are in this tabernacle do groan, being burdened: not for that we would be unclothed, but clothed upon, that mortality might be swallowed up of life. 5 Now he that hath wrought us for the selfsame thing is God, who also hath given unto us the earnest of the Spirit. 6 Therefore we are always confident, knowing that, whilst we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord: 7 (For we walk by faith, not by sight:) 8 We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord. 9 Wherefore we labour, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him. 10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad. 11 Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are made manifest unto God; and I trust also are made manifest in your consciences. 12 For we commend not ourselves again unto you, but give you occasion to glory on our behalf, that ye may have somewhat to answer them which glory in appearance, and not in heart. 13 For whether we be beside ourselves, it is to God: or whether we be sober, it is for your cause. 14 For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead: 15 And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again. 16 Wherefore henceforth know we no man after the flesh: yea, though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now henceforth know we him no more. 17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. 18 And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; 19 To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation. 20 Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God. 21 For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.Romans 1 King James Version 1 Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God, 2 (Which he had promised afore by his prophets in the holy scriptures,) 3 Concerning his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, which was made of the seed of David according to the flesh; 4 And declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead: 5 By whom we have received grace and apostleship, for obedience to the faith among all nations, for his name: 6 Among whom are ye also the called of Jesus Christ: 7 To all that be in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ. 8 First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, that your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world. 9 For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of his Son, that without ceasing I make mention of you always in my prayers; 10 Making request, if by any means now at length I might have a prosperous journey by the will of God to come unto you. 11 For I long to see you, that I may impart unto you some spiritual gift, to the end ye may be established; 12 That is, that I may be comforted together with you by the mutual faith both of you and me. 13 Now I would not have you ignorant, brethren, that oftentimes I purposed to come unto you, (but was let hitherto,) that I might have some fruit among you also, even as among other Gentiles. 14 I am debtor both to the Greeks, and to the Barbarians; both to the wise, and to the unwise. 15 So, as much as in me is, I am ready to preach the gospel to you that are at Rome also. 16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. 17 For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith. 18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; 19 Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. 20 For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: 21 Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. 22 Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, 23 And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things. 24 Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves: 25 Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen. 26 For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature: 27 And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet. 28 And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient; 29 Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers, 30 Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, 31 Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful: 32 Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.Bible Verses About HomosexualityBible verses related to Homosexuality from the King James Version (KJV) by Relevance - Sort By Book Order Leviticus 18:22 - Thou shalt not lie with mankind, as with womankind: it [is] abomination. 1 Corinthians 6:9-11 - Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, (Read More...) Leviticus 20:13 - If a man also lie with mankind, as he lieth with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination: they shall surely be put to death; their blood [shall be] upon them. Romans 1:26-28 - For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature: (Read More...) 1 Timothy 1:10 - For whoremongers, for them that defile themselves with mankind, for menstealers, for liars, for perjured persons, and if there be any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine; Mark 10:6-9 - But from the beginning of the creation God made them male and female. (Read More...) Jude 1:7 - Even as Sodom and Gomorrha, and the cities about them in like manner, giving themselves over to fornication, and going after strange flesh, are set forth for an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire. 1 Corinthians 7:2 - Nevertheless, [to avoid] fornication, let every man have his own wife, and let every woman have her own husband. 1 Timothy 1:10-11 - For whoremongers, for them that defile themselves with mankind, for menstealers, for liars, for perjured persons, and if there be any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine; (Read More...) Romans 1:27 - And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet. Romans 1:32 - Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them. Genesis 19:1-38 - And there came two angels to Sodom at even; and Lot sat in the gate of Sodom: and Lot seeing [them] rose up to meet them; and he bowed himself with his face toward the ground; (Read More...)Bible Verses About SodomBible verses related to Sodom from the King James Version (KJV) by Relevance - Sort By Book Order Genesis 19:1-38 - And there came two angels to Sodom at even; and Lot sat in the gate of Sodom: and Lot seeing [them] rose up to meet them; and he bowed himself with his face toward the ground; (Read More...) Jude 1:7 - Even as Sodom and Gomorrha, and the cities about them in like manner, giving themselves over to fornication, and going after strange flesh, are set forth for an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire. Ezekiel 16:49-50 - Behold, this was the iniquity of thy sister Sodom, pride, fulness of bread, and abundance of idleness was in her and in her daughters, neither did she strengthen the hand of the poor and needy. (Read More...) Leviticus 18:22 - Thou shalt not lie with mankind, as with womankind: it [is] abomination. Genesis 18:20 - And the LORD said, Because the cry of Sodom and Gomorrah is great, and because their sin is very grievous; Luke 10:10-13 - But into whatsoever city ye enter, and they receive you not, go your ways out into the streets of the same, and say, (Read More...) Genesis 19 King James Version 19 And there came two angels to Sodom at even; and Lot sat in the gate of Sodom: and Lot seeing them rose up to meet them; and he bowed himself with his face toward the ground; 2 And he said, Behold now, my lords, turn in, I pray you, into your servant's house, and tarry all night, and wash your feet, and ye shall rise up early, and go on your ways. And they said, Nay; but we will abide in the street all night. 3 And he pressed upon them greatly; and they turned in unto him, and entered into his house; and he made them a feast, and did bake unleavened bread, and they did eat. 4 But before they lay down, the men of the city, even the men of Sodom, compassed the house round, both old and young, all the people from every quarter: 5 And they called unto Lot, and said unto him, Where are the men which came in to thee this night? bring them out unto us, that we may know them. 6 And Lot went out at the door unto them, and shut the door after him, 7 And said, I pray you, brethren, do not so wickedly. 8 Behold now, I have two daughters which have not known man; let me, I pray you, bring them out unto you, and do ye to them as is good in your eyes: only unto these men do nothing; for therefore came they under the shadow of my roof. 9 And they said, Stand back. And they said again, This one fellow came in to sojourn, and he will needs be a judge: now will we deal worse with thee, than with them. And they pressed sore upon the man, even Lot, and came near to break the door. 10 But the men put forth their hand, and pulled Lot into the house to them, and shut to the door. 11 And they smote the men that were at the door of the house with blindness, both small and great: so that they wearied themselves to find the door. 12 And the men said unto Lot, Hast thou here any besides? son in law, and thy sons, and thy daughters, and whatsoever thou hast in the city, bring them out of this place: 13 For we will destroy this place, because the cry of them is waxen great before the face of the Lord; and the Lord hath sent us to destroy it. 14 And Lot went out, and spake unto his sons in law, which married his daughters, and said, Up, get you out of this place; for the Lord will destroy this city. But he seemed as one that mocked unto his sons in law. 15 And when the morning arose, then the angels hastened Lot, saying, Arise, take thy wife, and thy two daughters, which are here; lest thou be consumed in the iniquity of the city. 16 And while he lingered, the men laid hold upon his hand, and upon the hand of his wife, and upon the hand of his two daughters; the Lord being merciful unto him: and they brought him forth, and set him without the city. 17 And it came to pass, when they had brought them forth abroad, that he said, Escape for thy life; look not behind thee, neither stay thou in all the plain; escape to the mountain, lest thou be consumed. 18 And Lot said unto them, Oh, not so, my Lord: 19 Behold now, thy servant hath found grace in thy sight, and thou hast magnified thy mercy, which thou hast shewed unto me in saving my life; and I cannot escape to the mountain, lest some evil take me, and I die: 20 Behold now, this city is near to flee unto, and it is a little one: Oh, let me escape thither, (is it not a little one?) and my soul shall live. 21 And he said unto him, See, I have accepted thee concerning this thing also, that I will not overthrow this city, for the which thou hast spoken. 22 Haste thee, escape thither; for I cannot do anything till thou be come thither. Therefore the name of the city was called Zoar. 23 The sun was risen upon the earth when Lot entered into Zoar. 24 Then the Lord rained upon Sodom and upon Gomorrah brimstone and fire from the Lord out of heaven; 25 And he overthrew those cities, and all the plain, and all the inhabitants of the cities, and that which grew upon the ground. 26 But his wife looked back from behind him, and she became a pillar of salt. 27 And Abraham gat up early in the morning to the place where he stood before the Lord: 2 Peter 2:6 King James Version 6 And turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrha into ashes condemned them with an overthrow, making them an ensample unto those that after should live ungodly; 2 Chronicles 7:14 King James Version 14 If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land. Isaiah 55:6-9 King James Version 6 Seek ye the Lord while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near: 7 Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the Lord, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon. 8 For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord. 9 For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts. you can make your thoughts be gods thoughts and his ways be your ways if you let his thoughts be your thoughts and his ways be your ways and god will make his ways be your ways and thoughts be your thoughts by the power of the holy spirit in you. 1 Corinthians 2 King James Version 2 And I, brethren, when I came to you, came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom, declaring unto you the testimony of God. 2 For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified. 3 And I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling. 4 And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power: 5 That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God. 6 Howbeit we speak wisdom among them that are perfect: yet not the wisdom of this world, nor of the princes of this world, that come to nought: 7 But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory: 8 Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. 9 But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. 10 But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God. 11 For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God. 12 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. 13 Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual. 14 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. 15 But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man. 16 For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? but we have the mind of Christ.

aaron minch

Only Two Kinds of People - Romans 8:5-8 Dr. Steven J. Lawson For those who are according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who are according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. For the mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace, because the mind set on the flesh is hostile toward God; for it does not subject itself to the law of God, for it is not even able to do so, and those who are in the flesh cannot please God (Romans 8:5-8). Romans 8:5-8 makes it very clear that there are only two kinds of people in the world. This passage draws a sharp line of distinction between these two classes of people. There are believers and unbelievers. According to this passage, there are those who have been justified, and those who are condemned. There are those who are according to the flesh, and those who are according to the Spirit. There are those who have set their mind on the things of the flesh, and there are those who have set their mind on the things of the Spirit. It is very obvious that there is a black and white distinction in this passage. Paul wants to be crystal clear that if you have been justified by faith, you will be sanctified. There is no one who is justified by faith whose life is not dramatically changed. Everyone who has escaped the condemnation of God has undergone a radical work of God in their person life. Paul lays out a clear contrast so that there is no confusion for his readers. There is a back and forth in these verses between the two classes. There is clearly not a third or fourth class, but only two. This is important because a few years ago, there was much talk about the “carnal Christian.” It was said that there were actually three classes of people. First, those who are not Christians. Second, those who are Christians. And third, those who claim to be Christians but live like non-Christians. Obviously, that is impossible. This text will show us very clearly that no one who has been justified by faith will continue to live as they once did. The outline is very simple. In verse 5, there are two mindsets. In verse 6, there are two destinies. In verses 7-9, there are two dispositions. I. Two Different Mindsets (8:5) Everyone in the world has one of two mindsets. Paul tells us, “For those who are according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh” (verse 5). Those who are “according to the flesh” are those who are “in the flesh” in verse 8. This means that the realm in which they live is a carnal, fleshly realm. They are governed by their flesh, rather than by the Spirit of God. The “flesh” refers to their carnal appetites, sinful desires, worldly pursuits, material pleasures, secular beliefs, self-interest, and self-promotion. Their minds are set on these things. They have a worldly mindset. The phrase “set their minds” (phroneo) is one word in the Greek. It means to be absorbed with something, to focus sharply on something. It is not just occasionally glancing at fleshly things, but living life with their mind set on the things of the flesh. Their whole life revolves around living for the things of the world. This describes every unconverted person in the world. They live according to the flesh. Their mind is set on the things of the flesh. This mindset is impossible for a true believer and the complete opposite of a Christian. “Of the Spirit” Then note the stark contrast in the middle of verse 5, “But those who are according to the Spirit the things of the Spirit.” Paul makes a clear distinction, using the word “but” to mark the stark contrast. He is now referring to a believer. “If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come” (2 Corinthians 5:17). We all entered this world living according to the flesh with our mind set on the things of the flesh. It is only by the new birth and the truth of regeneration that we are transferred from the fleshly realm where we lived for the flesh to the spiritual realm where we live for the Spirit. The “things of the Spirit” are those things that belong to God, such as the kingdom of God, the Son of God, the word of God, the truth of God, and the will of God. We who are “according to the Spirit” have a totally different mindset than those who are of the flesh. We see the world different and have different affections and desires. The contrast could not be any greater. Previously, we desired the things of the flesh, now we desire the things of the Spirit. To become a Christian is to be moved from the first realm into the second realm. We no longer live in the old realm. We cannot have one foot in and one foot out. We cannot live according to the flesh Monday through Saturday, and then live according to the Spirit on Sunday. When you are born again, you are completely uprooted and replanted in this totally new realm, the realm of the Spirit. You now have the mind of Christ with a totally new worldview and perspective on life. You now see with a divine and eternal perspective. It brings about a radical change in your life. The two realms are totally different and you cannot live in both at the same time. You entered the world in one realm, but upon salvation, you were transferred to the other realm, the realm of the Spirit. Your mind was once set on the things of the flesh, but now it is set on the things of the Spirit. The two mindsets are completely different. II. Two Different Destinies (8:6) As we move to verse 6, we see that these contrasting mindsets take lives in two totally opposite directions that end up in two totally different places. Paul writes, “For the mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace” (verse 6). “The mind set on the flesh” is obviously not talking about the believer, but rather the unbeliever, who was born in and continues to live in a spiritual state of death. When Paul says, “the mind set on the flesh is death,” he is really referring to the outcome of this life, which is eternal death, the second death. Paul previously wrote, “Do you not know that when you present yourselves to someone as slaves for obedience, you are slaves of the one whom you obey, either of sin resulting in death, or of obedience resulting in righteousness?” (Romans 6:16). This clearly states that sin results in death. Likewise, the life that lives in the realm of sin results in death. You are already in a spiritual state of death before you are converted, so it is really like you are going from one death to the next death. Almost like a corpse going to the grave. Paul continues, “Therefore what benefit were you then deriving from the things of which you are now ashamed? For the outcome of those things is death” (Romans 6:21). Then, he again emphasizes, “For the wages of sin is death” (Romans 6:23). Verse 16 said the result is death, verse 21 said the outcome is death, and verse 23 said the wages of sin is death. This is saying the same thing three different ways in three different verses. This does not refer to physical death, but spiritual death. It is eternal death, eternal destruction, eternal condemnation. The one whose mindset is according to the flesh will end up in eternal death. “Life and Peace” The second half of Romans 8:6 is the total contrast. It refers to true believers, those who have been born again. Paul writes, “but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace” (verse 6). This describes every true believer in Jesus Christ, those who have been born again. Their mindset has been totally reversed. There is a total turnaround in their life so that their mind is now set on the Spirit and the things of the Spirit. The resulting outcome is the total opposite of death—it is life and peace. This “life” refers to eternal life in the ages to come. There is a completely different destiny that lies ahead for the one who belongs to God. “Peace” does not refer to the peace of God, which is subjective, but peace with God, which is objective. In the next verse, you will note a contrasting word, “hostile.” This means enmity with God, being at war with God. But in verse 6, “peace” refers to the opposite of hostility. It is the opposite of being at enmity with God. Those who have a mind set on the Spirit are now at peace with God, because they have been reconciled to God through the cross of the Lord Jesus Christ. This peace refers to the eternal state of reconciliation and acceptance with God. Romans 5:1 first introduced us to being at peace with God: “Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” What did you have before you were justified? The very opposite of peace with God. You were hostile towards God, at war with Him, and God was at war with you. You were under the wrath of God. Romans 1:18 reminds us that “the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men.” There is more to the story than “God loves sinners.” God is also angry with sinners and His wrath abides on every unbeliever. When we believe in Christ, we are no longer at war with God, and He is no longer at war with us. We enter into a state of peace with God and God is at peace with us, because the wrath of God has been propitiated by the blood sacrifice of the Lord Jesus Christ. The two different mindsets lead to two different destinies. There could not be a more dramatic difference than death and life. It is like the difference between light and darkness. It is a total juxtaposition. Every person’s life is headed to one of these two outcomes, either to eternal life or to eternal death. III. Two Different Dispositions (8:7-9) In verses 7-9, we see two different dispositions that are indicative of these two different classes of people. Verses 7-8 refer to those who are unbelievers, who are according to the flesh, whose outcome is death. Verse 9 refers to true believers, who are according to the Spirit, whose outcome is life. These verses talk about the totally opposite dispositions of the two groups. Disposition means the heart, the nature, the inner person, the bent of their life. Disposition of an Unbeliever There are four things to note about the unbeliever in verses 7-8. First, we see their hostility toward God. Paul writes, “Because the mind set on the flesh is hostile toward God” (verse 7). Again, the mind “set on the flesh” means the mind that is governed by the flesh, controlled by the flesh, and set upon fleshly things. This person is “hostile toward God.” “Hostile” means hatred, enmity, and bitter opposition against God. This is clearly not a neutral state. This person is not sitting on the fence with one arm around the flesh and one arm around God. Rather, their whole life is hostile toward God. This hostility can be represented either in active rebellion against God or in passive indifference toward God. Either way, Paul says it is hostility toward God. The unbeliever is “hostile in mind” toward God (Colossians 1:21). It goes deeper than their actions, it is the very mindset of the unbeliever. They push against God. They do not want God to tell them how to live their life. They want to go their own way and do their own thing. They do not want to be bound by God. James also says that unbelievers have “hostility toward God” and are “an enemy of God” (James 4:4). This refers to every unbeliever on the earth. They may be someone who attends church, grew up in a Christian home, or went to a Christian school. But until they come to faith in Christ, they are still keeping God at arm’s length. They only want God on the superficial exterior façade of their life. They do not want Him on the interior, governing and controlling their life. They reject and refuse God, wanting to continue to go their own way. Second, we see the mindset of superiority within the unbeliever. They are arrogant, self-elevating, and prideful. Paul continues, “for it does not subject itself to the law of God.” “It” refers to the mind set on the flesh. There is no humility, submission, or surrender within them. They refuse to come under the authority of the word of God. They may have some outward morality, but in their heart, they refuse to come under the authority of God’s word. There is a superiority about their mindset that they are above the word of God, rather than in submission under it. They have the superior mindset of a critic who picks and chooses which parts they will apply to their life. They want God a-la-carte, where they can pick and choose which parts to follow and which parts to ignore. They are determined to run their own life by their own standards and will not submit to the authority of the word of God. The psalmist writes, “Why are the nations in an uproar and the peoples devising a vain thing? The kings of the earth take their stand and the rulers take counsel together against the Lord and against His anointed, saying, ‘Let us tear their fetters apart and cast away their cords from us!’” (Psalm 2:1-3). This is a worldwide conspiracy of rebellion and anarchy against God. It is true in every generation. It is the doctrine of total depravity. The unbelieving world refuses to be tied down by the moral constraints of God’s word. They want to redefine the family, gender, marriage, ethics, and the terms of coming to God. They want to throw off all moral restraints given by God. Romans 8:7 shows the very same picture. They will not subject themselves to the law of God because sin is ruling their life. Third, we see the moral inability of the unregenerate flesh. It is incapable of submitting to the word of God. Paul continues, “For it” referring to the mind set on the flesh, “is not even able to do so” (verse 7). There is a stubborn resistance in the nature of every unbeliever who has not been birthed from above by the Spirit of God. Note that they are “not even able to do so.” They need God to dramatically lay hold of them and to intervene, interrupting their life, and transplanting them into His kingdom. Unless God grants salvation, they are unable to follow the Law of God. Fourth, we see that it is impossible for the unbeliever to please God. Paul continues, “And those who are in the flesh cannot please God” (verse 8). To be “in the flesh” is the same as being “according to the flesh” (verse 5) and “setting your mind on the things of the flesh” (verse 6). That is the realm of your lifestyle and it “cannot please God.” This clearly means that this person has no ability in their flesh to please God. The very first step to pleasing God is to believe in His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. We are told that “without faith it is impossible to please God” (Hebrews 11:6). Paul is intentionally moving these two classes to opposite extremes so that we understand that they are not even touching. There is a chasm that separates the believer from the unbeliever. Disposition of a Believer In verse 9, Paul moves to the believer. He begins with, “However,” which is a way of stating a stark contrast to what was previously said. Paul now turns away from describing the lifestyle, nature, and disposition of the unbeliever to addressing the believers in the church in Rome. He writes, “However, you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you” (verse 9). No believer lives in the flesh. We still retain the flesh and make fleshly choices, but the pattern of our life is not in the flesh. We live in the Spirit. It is a whole different kingdom. There is no straddling the fence. There is not a third category that is in the middle of these two. You are either in the flesh or in the Spirit. To be “in the Spirit” means that you are in Christ. You have been placed there by the Spirit. When you are “in the Spirit,” the Holy Spirit lives within you. The believer’s body is the royal residence of the Holy Spirit. Our body is a temple for the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19). Paul says that the Holy Spirit dwells in every true believer, and therefore, we are in the Spirit. For us to be “in the Spirit” means that we are living under the governing power and control of God the Holy Spirit. When we take a wrong step, the Holy Spirit convicts us and brings us back. We will never lose our salvation because the Holy Spirit seals us in Christ and we cannot escape. Conclusion To sum up these verses, the first half of verse 5 refers to unbelievers. The second half of verse 5 refers to believers. The first half of verse 6 refers to unbelievers. The second half of verse 6 refers to believers. Verses 7-8 refer to unbelievers. And verse 9 refers to believers. The reason that Paul stresses this in the middle of his teaching on sanctification is for us to understand that every true believer is in the Spirit, is indwelt by the Spirit, is living according to the Spirit, and has set his mind on the things of the Spirit. That is categorically true. As we look back at these verses, I have three points of application. The first is self-examination. Every one of us needs to examine ourselves of whether we are in the flesh or in the Spirit. Are you in Adam or in Christ? Are you of the world or of Christ? Are you lost or are you saved, unconverted or converted? Every one of us needs to examine ourselves to see whether we have been born again. Are you birthed by the Spirit of God into the kingdom of God? Paul draws a clear line in the sand and every one of us is on one of two sides. In order to be right with God, in order for there to be no condemnation, we must be in Christ. There is only one way to be in Christ, and that is to be born again by believing upon the Lord Jesus Christ. When that happens, you are taken from this old realm in which you previously lived, and you are transplanted into a totally different realm—the realm of the Spirit of God and of Jesus Christ. Where are you in relation to Jesus Christ? When did this happen? It was a divine act of God upon your soul that happened at an exact moment in time. It did not happen over a long period of time. You may not remember the exact date or time, but it did happen on an exact date at a specific time. When did this transfer take place in your life? It is the most important question. “That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not be amazed that I say to you, ‘You must be born again’” (John 3:6-7). “Truly, truly I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God” (John 3:3). Self-examination is between you and God. “Test yourselves to see if you are in the faith” (2 Corinthians 13:5). Second, self-renunciation. If you realize that you are living according to the flesh, then you need to repent and turn away from your carnal pursuits and desires. You must deny yourself and take up your cross. You must renounce your old way of life. You cannot have one foot in the old way of life and one foot in the new way of life. You must renounce your old way of life. We live in this world, but we do not live for this world; we live for the world to come while we are here upon the earth. Have you renounced your old way of life? Have you renounced living for the kingdoms of this world so that you may live for the kingdom of God? “Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you” (Matthew 6:33). For those of us who have renounced our old way of life, it is good for us to be reminded that we have burned the bridges behind us and there is no going back to living for the things of this world. This does not mean that we cannot work in this world. There is a vocational call of God upon our lives to work diligently in this world. But there is a difference in working in the world and working for the world. We no longer live for the things of this world. We are in the world, but we are not of the world. Third, self-presentation. Having renounced our old way of life, we now present ourselves to Jesus Christ to live out this new manner of life. We must entrust our life to Christ. We must submit to the law of God and live in obedience to it. Verse 7 said that the unbeliever will not subject himself to the law of God. This clearly implies that the believer does subject himself to the law of God. This means that we live in purposeful obedience from the heart, motivated by the grace of God, to please God in all things. Verse 8 says that those who are in the flesh cannot please God. But we are in the Spirit, and our life’s goal is to please God. What pleases God is when we trust Him and live for Him. We must continually present ourselves to God. “Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship” (Romans 12:1). We must be like the priest who presents the sacrifice on the altar. We must present our lives on the altar to God. In Old Testament times, the priest presented a dead sacrifice. However, in New Testament times, we now present the living sacrifice of our very lives. May we give careful thought to how we need to daily present ourselves to God as a living sacrifice.

aaron minch

2 Peter 2:1-3 King James Version 2 But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. 2 And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of. 3 And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not.2 Peter Chapter 2 2 Peter 2 – The Rise and Fall of False Teachers A. Facts about false teachers. 1. (1) The presence and work of false teachers. But there were also false prophets among the people, even as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Lord who bought them, and bring on themselves swift destruction. a. But there were also false prophets: Even as there were holy men of God who spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit (2 Peter 1:21), so also there were false prophets and false teachers then and today. Peter stated this as a fact and not as a possibility; and he said they were among you, not only on the outside of the church. i. “There were not only holy men of God among the Jews, who prophesied by divine inspiration, but there were also false prophets, whose prophecies were from their own imagination, and perverted many.” (Clarke) b. Who will secretly bring in destructive heresies: False teachers work secretly. It isn’t that their teaching is secret, but the deceptive nature of their teaching is hidden. No false teacher ever announces himself as a false teacher. c. Destructive heresies: False teachers bring in destructive heresies that destroy by telling lies about Jesus Christ and His work for us and in us. By these heresies people are hurt and destroyed. Heresy isn’t harmless. d. Even denying the Lord who bought them: False teachers deny the Lord who bought them. In this Peter says that at the very least, they appear to be saved. Otherwise Peter would never say that the Lord bought them. At the same time, they are false, destructive teachers. i. Even a person who has what appears to be a godly walk and relationship with Jesus Christ can still bring in destructive heresies. Often times good men who teach lies do the worst damage. Their lies are accepted far more easily because of the good character of these men. e. Bring on themselves swift destruction: False teachers are promised swift destruction, even though they aren’t judged fast enough in the opinion of many. 2. (2) The popularity of false teachers. And many will follow their destructive ways, because of whom the way of truth will be blasphemed. a. Many will follow their destructive ways: This reminds us that false teachers may be popular. Just because something succeeds in attracting a crowd of followers, it doesn’t mean that it is of God. We know that God’s work will always bear fruit, but the devil’s work can also increase. i. The most distressing aspect of the work of false teachers is not that they are among you (2 Peter 2:1). False teachers always have been and always will be among Christians. The most distressing fact is that so many Christians will follow their destructive ways. b. Because of whom the way of truth will be blasphemed: When false teachers are at work and when crowds are following them, the way of truth is blasphemed. God’s holy name and honor are disgraced. 3. (3) The strategy and destiny of false teachers. By covetousness they will exploit you with deceptive words; for a long time their judgment has not been idle, and their destruction does not slumber. a. By covetousness: False teachers use covetousness – both their own and in their followers. Many false teachers, both today and in previous times, present a gospel that has self-gratification at its core. All this is presented with deceptive words because false teaching never announces itself. b. Their judgment has not been idle, and their destruction does not slumber: Peter assured us that false teachers will be judged. Even though it seems they prosper, their judgment is not idle. God’s wrath pours out on them even in allowing them to continue, thus heaping up more and more condemnation and hardness of heart in themselves. B. God knows how to take care of both the righteous and the ungodly. 1. (4-6) The ungodly will be judged. For if God did not spare the angels who sinned, but cast them down to hell and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved for judgment; and did not spare the ancient world, but saved Noah, one of eight people, a preacher of righteousness, bringing in the flood on the world of the ungodly; and turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah into ashes, condemned them to destruction, making them an example to those who afterward would live ungodly; a. If God did not spare the angels who sinned: God judged these wicked angels, setting them in chains of darkness. Apparently some fallen angels are in bondage while others are unbound and active in the earth as demons. i. The sin of angels can be thought of in two main ways: in the original rebellion of some angels against God, and in the sin of the “sons of God” described in Genesis 6:1-2. ii. It is clear that at some time, angelic beings had a period of choosing and testing when their future destiny would be determined. “How long that probation was to last to them, and what was the particular test of their fidelity, we know not; nor indeed do we know what was their sin; nor when nor how they fell. Jude says they kept not their first estate, but left their own habitation; which seems to indicate that they got discontented with their lot, and aspired to higher honours, or perhaps to celestial domination.” (Clarke) iii. It may be that the sin of Satan and his angels (Revelation 12:4, 12:7) was occasioned by the plan of God for mankind. · Man is made in the image of God (Genesis 1:26) and angels are not. Satan and his angels resented this plan to create a being that would be more closely connected to God than they were. · Though mankind is beneath the angels in dignity (Hebrews 2:6-7a, 2 Peter 2:11), it is the job of angels to serve mankind (Hebrews 1:14, 2:7-8, Psalm 91:11-12). Satan and his angels resented a plan that would command them to serve lesser beings. · Redeemed mankind will be lifted in honor and status above all angelic beings (1 Corinthians 6:3; 1 John 3:2). Satan and his angels resented a plan that would glorify these lower beings to places above them. iv. “It sprang from the admiration of their own gifts, it was confirmed by pride and ambition, it was perfected by envy, stirred by the decree of exalting man’s nature above angels in and by Christ.” (Trapp) v. At the same time, we cannot conclusively say we know why the angels sinned because the Scriptures do not give us more than hints. b. Cast them down to hell and delivered them into chains of darkness: By not keeping their proper place, they are now kept in chains of darkness. Their sinful pursuit of freedom put them in bondage. i. Those who insist on freedom to do whatever they want are like these angels: so “free” that they are bound with chains of darkness (a powerful poetic description of their miserable bondage). True freedom comes from obedience. ii. Cast them down to hell: The ancient Greek word translated hell is literally Tartarus. In Greek mythology, Tartarus was the lowest hell, a place of punishment for rebellious gods. Peter borrowed this word to speak of the place of punishment for the angels who sinned. iii. Angels have a high office and a high service of God; yet it was still possible for them to fall. We should take warning from this. As well, we can understand that in some ways we can sin worse than these angels did. “I answer that the devil never yet rejected free grace and dying love; the devil never yet struggled against the Holy Spirit in his own conscience; the devil never yet refused the mercy of God. These supreme pinnacles of wickedness are only reached by you who are hearers of the gospel, and yet cast its precious message behind your backs.” (Spurgeon) c. And did not spare the ancient world: God judged the ancient world, the world before Noah’s Flood, because the LORD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually (Genesis 6:5). d. And turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah into ashes, condemned them to destruction: God judged the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah, making them an example of His judgment, because the outcry against Sodom and Gomorrah is great, and because their sin is very grave (Genesis 18:20). e. Making them an example to those who afterward would live ungodly: These three examples of judgment show us the important principle that Peter wants to highlight. · God judged the angels who sinned, so no one is too high to be judged. · God judged the ancient world before the flood, so God doesn’t grade on a curve, only comparing man among other men. · God judged Sodom and Gomorrah, so even the prosperous can be judged. i. Therefore the ungodly have no reason to think they can escape God’s judgment. Their coming judgment is certain. As Jesus said in Luke 10:10-12, for those who reject the truth “it will be more tolerable in that Day for Sodom.” 2. (7-9) The righteous will be delivered. And delivered righteous Lot, who was oppressed by the filthy conduct of the wicked (for that righteous man, dwelling among them, tormented his righteous soul from day to day by seeing and hearing their lawless deeds)—then the Lord knows how to deliver the godly out of temptations and to reserve the unjust under punishment for the day of judgment, a. And delivered righteous Lot: Peter already told us how the Lord delivered Noah (2 Peter 2:5). Now, he shows us that the Lord delivered righteous Lot. i. “The preservation and deliverance of Lot gave the apostle occasion to remark, that God knew as well to save as to destroy; and that his goodness led him as forcibly to save righteous Lot, as his justice did to destroy the rebellious in the instances already adduced.” (Clarke) b. And delivered righteous Lot: Lot was righteous in God’s eyes, though perhaps it was hard for others to see his righteousness. Yet the wickedness of Sodom and Gomorrah tormented his righteous soul from day to day. i. Lot’s soul was tormented, but he failed to follow through with godly actions and separate himself and his family from the ungodliness of Sodom and Gomorrah. The Lord delivered Lot because of his righteous soul; yet Lot lost everything else because of his too-close association with those wicked cities. c. Then the Lord knows how to deliver the godly out of temptations: Even as the Lord delivered Lot, He knows how to deliver us from the temptations we face, and He knows how to reserve the unjust for the day of judgment. We can trust in God’s deliverance of the godly because it is just as certain as His judgment of the ungodly. i. The Lord knows how: We can take great confidence in this. Many times we do not know how, but the Lord knows how. This is a good principle for both life and doctrine. “For instance, sometimes we meet with perplexing doctrines; perhaps we endeavor to effect reconciliation between the predestination of God and the freedom of human action. It is better not to wade too far into those deep waters, lest we lose ourselves in an abyss. ‘The Lord knoweth.’” (Spurgeon) ii. The unjust have reservation made for them: they are reserved for the day of judgment. But believers have no such reservation. God will deliver us from the very day of judgment, from the very time of wrath that He pours out on the earth (Revelation 3:10). iii. “According to the Revised Version, and I think that translation is correct, the punishment has begun already. The Lord knows how to go on even now punishing the ungodly.” (Spurgeon) iv. “Peter (if any man) might well say, ‘The Lord knoweth how to deliver his;’ for he had been strangely delivered, Acts 12.” (Trapp) In Acts 12, God wonderfully delivered Peter from prison and He painfully delivered Herod to judgment. God knows how to do both. C. A description of the ungodly among them. 1. (10-11) They are fleshly and proud. And especially those who walk according to the flesh in the lust of uncleanness and despise authority. They are presumptuous, self-willed. They are not afraid to speak evil of dignitaries, whereas angels, who are greater in power and might, do not bring a reviling accusation against them before the Lord. a. And especially those who walk according to the flesh: These ungodly ones are especially reserved for judgment. They live according to the flesh, not the spirit, and are marked by uncleanness. b. They are presumptuous, self-willed: These ungodly ones are proud, despising authority. In their presumption they will even speak ill of spiritual powers (Satan and his demons) that the angels themselves do not speak evil of, but the angels rebuke them in the name of the Lord instead. i. Much of what goes on under the name of spiritual warfare shows this kind of pride and presumption. While we recognize our authority in Jesus, we see that it is only in Jesus that we have it – and we leave the reviling accusations to Him alone. c. Whereas angels, who are greater in power and might, do not bring a reviling accusation: Here Peter contrasted the behavior of those who walk according to the flesh with angels, that is, faithful angels. The faithful angels did not slander or exaggerate in what they said or how they represented the sins of others; these who walked according to the flesh did. 2. (12-13a) Their spiritual doom is sealed. But these, like natural brute beasts made to be caught and destroyed, speak evil of the things they do not understand, and will utterly perish in their own corruption, and will receive the wages of unrighteousness, as those who count it pleasure to carouse in the daytime. a. Like natural brute beasts: Since they function in the flesh, not the spirit, they are like animals. They are fit only for destruction (made to be caught and destroyed) and they are ignorant. b. And will receive the wages of unrighteousness: The ungodly will be “paid” for their evil – and their fleshly lives will be paid the wages of unrighteousness. i. “What these evil men, who were troubling Peter’s people, were doing, was to say that they loved and served Christ, while the things they taught and did were a complete denial of him.” (Barclay) 3. (13b-17) A list of the sins of the false teachers. They are spots and blemishes, carousing in their own deceptions while they feast with you, having eyes full of adultery and that cannot cease from sin, enticing unstable souls. They have a heart trained in covetous practices, and are accursed children. They have forsaken the right way and gone astray, following the way of Balaam the son of Beor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness; but he was rebuked for his iniquity: a dumb donkey speaking with a man’s voice restrained the madness of the prophet. These are wells without water, clouds carried by a tempest, for whom is reserved the blackness of darkness forever. a. Carousing in their own deceptions: These ungodly false teachers are a dangerous and corrupting presence in the body of Christ, not only deceiving others but deceiving themselves also. i. “The word here rendered riot [carousing], comes of a root that signifies to break, for there is nothing that doth so break and emasculate the minds of men as rioting and reveling; luxury draws out a man’s spirits, and dissolves him.” (Trapp) b. Having eyes full of adultery: Their heart is set on the flesh, and their eyes on adultery, both spiritual and sexual. They prey on the unstable to join them in their ways (enticing unstable souls). i. Literally, Peter wrote that their eyes are full of an adulterous woman. “They lust after every girl they see; they view every female as a potential adulteress.” (Green) c. They have a heart trained in covetous practices: They are equipped, but not for ministry, only for selfish gain – they are truly accursed. We all train our hearts in something, either training them in covetousness and lust, or in godliness. i. “The metaphor is taken from the agonistae in the Grecian games, who exercised themselves in those feats, such as wrestling, boxing, running, etc., in which they proposed to contend in the public games. These persons had their hearts schooled in nefarious practices; they had exercised themselves until they were perfectly expert in all the arts of seduction, overreaching, and every kind of fraud.” (Clarke) d. Following the way of Balaam: They are like Balaam, who was guilty of the greatest of sins – leading others into sin, and that for the sake of his own gain. Balaam had to be restrained by a dumb donkey because he would not listen to God. e. These are wells without water: These ungodly false teachers are empty – as useless as wells without water – and like clouds that bring only darkness, and no nourishing rain. 4. (18-19) The allure of the false teachers. For when they speak great swelling words of emptiness, they allure through the lusts of the flesh, through lewdness, the ones who have actually escaped from those who live in error. While they promise them liberty, they themselves are slaves of corruption; for by whom a person is overcome, by him also he is brought into bondage. a. They speak great swelling words of emptiness: The message of the ungodly false teachers is empty of real spiritual content, though it is swollen big with words. Their allure is to the lusts of the flesh in their audience, just as the crowds who wanted bread from Jesus, but didn’t want Jesus Himself (John 6:25-27, 6:47-66). b. While they promise them liberty, they themselves are slaves: They promise freedom, but freedom can never be found in the flesh, only in God’s Spirit. Freedom isn’t found in what Jesus can give us, but only in Jesus Himself. When we seek freedom in the wrong way, we become slaves of corruption (decay and death). c. By him also he is brought into bondage: In being overcome by the flesh and the false teachers, these unfortunates became slaves to both. 5. (20-22) The danger of falling away and following after false teachers For if, after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in them and overcome, the latter end is worse for them than the beginning. For it would have been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than having known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered to them. But it has happened to them according to the true proverb: “A dog returns to his own vomit,” and, “a sow, having washed, to her wallowing in the mire.” a. The latter end is worse for them than the beginning: It is better for a person to have never known a thing about Jesus than to hear some truth, hold to it for a seaon, and then later reject it. Greater revelation has a greater accountability. i. Their end is worse … than the beginning because they have returned to the pollutions of the world. “These [pollutions] are called miasmata, things that infect, pollute, and defile… St. Augustine has improved on this image: ‘The whole world,’ says he, ‘is one great diseased man, lying extended from east to west, and from north to south; and to heal this great sick man, the almighty Physician descended from heaven.’” (Clarke) b. It would have been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness: Peter described a picture that certainly has the appearance of people losing their salvation. · He speaks of those who have escaped the pollutions of the world. · He speaks of those who did this through the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. · He speaks of those who at one time had known the way of righteousness. i. Christians warmly debate the issue of whether or not it is possible for a true Christian to ever lose their status as a true Christian and fall away to damnation. Perhaps the best way of understanding the issue is to say that it is certainly true that those who appear saved – those who fit the description of Peter here – can end up in a place where it would have been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness. ii. Regarding these, those with a Reformed perspective will say that they were actually never saved; those with an Arminian perspective will say that they were actually saved and lost their salvation. To bitterly divide along the lines of this debate – which focuses on things that are unknowable to outside observation – seems to fall into the category of being obsessed with disputes and arguments over words, as in 1 Timothy 6:4. c. A dog returns to his own vomit: The nature as dogs is displayed by the way he returns to the vomit of the flesh and the world. He is like the brute beasts described in 2 Peter 2:12, more animal than godly because he lives for the flesh. i. “The dog which has got rid of the corruption inside it through vomiting it up cannot leave well enough alone; it goes sniffing around the vomit again.” (Green)

aaron minch

You are here Home » Part 7 – The Indwelling "Law of The Spirit of Life In Christ" Part 7 – The Indwelling "Law of The Spirit of Life In Christ" This Article is part of a multi-part Study Series called The Knowledge of Life. Tags: SenseconscienceLaw of Lifeto willto dogrow Romans 8:2 For the law (regulating principle) of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law (spontaneous regulating principle) of sin and death (in the flesh). The word "law" here is the Greek "nomos," meaning "regulating principal of operation." We see this when we consider our physical life; our heart's beat and pancreas controls glucose by the "natural, automatic, spontaneous "laws" of operation, so long as we are alive. But of course, an infection may interfere with their normal operation. Likewise, the "Law of Spirit of Life in Christ" also operates spontaneously within believers to regulate us, but of course we do also have an infection called "Sin (as the nature) in the flesh" (Rom 8:3) that opposes our co-operating with the indwelling "Spirit of Life." Consider these verses. Rom 8:3 ...God sending his own Son ...condemned "Sin In The Flesh" Gal 5:16-18 This I say then, Walk in (accord with) the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust (desires) of the flesh. 17 For the Flesh Lusteth Against The Spirit, And The Spirit Against The Flesh: and These Are Contrary The One To The Other... 18 But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law. Believing Christians are not called to "imitate Jesus," but rather to be "born of God" by receiving Christ's "Spirit of Life" that He might spontaneously live through them. John 1:12-13 12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: 13 Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. Romans 8:11 (AMP) And if the Spirit of Him (God) Who raised up Jesus from the dead Dwells In You, [then] He Who raised up Christ Jesus from the dead will also restore to life your mortal (short-lived, perishable) bodies through His (Christ's) Spirit Who Dwells In You. Unless and until one is born of God they lack Christ's Life. If we're "born of God" we literally possess Christ's eternal resurrection Life and nature... so that we then can grow to be who we are "in Christ." 2 Peter 1:4 Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be Partakers Of The Divine Nature... Sadly, many born-again believers are ignorant of Christ's life literally dwelling within them to be their life, so they resort living by self-effort of their unrenewed soul, just as the unsaved do. All the Christian's "doing" is to be of Christ's life working in and through them according to Christ's timing. Consider that nobody can demand a peach tree to yield peaches in the winter! It's just not according to the peach tree nature to answer your demand. But in its season, the peach tree will spontaneously produce its fruit, according to the law (regulating principle) of the peach tree life. Likewise, Christ knows the season for everything in our life and He will produce fruit through us... in His time. It was always God's eternal plan that man would have God's very life by Christ's indwelling "the Spirit of life." The origin of Real Life for man is... "the Father's Life" that is in "the Son," who now dwells in us by His resurrected "Spirit of life" Psalm 36:9 For with thee (Lord) is the fountain of life: in thy light shall we see light. John 5:26 For as the Father hath life in himself; so hath he given to the Son to have life in himself; 1 John 5:12 ONLY >> He that hath the Son hath life (Zoë); and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life. (The Son bears the life of their Father) Romans 8:9 ... SPIRIT OF GOD DWELL IN YOU. Now if any man have not the SPIRIT OF CHRIST, he is none of his. Man was created with a human spirit inclined toward God, being to meant to receive God's Spirit. Zech. 12:1 The burden of the word of the Lord for Israel, saith the Lord, which stretcheth forth the heavens, and layeth the foundation of the earth, and formeth the spirit of man within him. Eccles. 3:21 Who knoweth the spirit of man that goeth (ascends, inclined) upward,… Proverbs 20:27 The spirit of man is the candle (oil lamp) of the LORD, (to receive the Oil of God's Spirit) John 1:12 But as many as received him (Christ),to them gave he power to become the sons of God, … God breath animated Adam's "spirit, soul and body" by the breathing "the spirit of man" into Adam. Genesis 2:7 And the Lord God formed man of the dust (physical) of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath (spirit) of life (chay, masculine plural, lives); and man became a living soul. God's then intended that Adam would receive of Christ by eating of "the Tree of Life," which is Christ. Adam had fellowship with God from outside of him, speaking into Adam's human spirit, but God intended that Adam would eat of and take in of "the Tree of Life" (Christ's Life). But before Adam could receive of the "Tree of Life," he fell to independence from God by eating of the forbidden "Tree of the Knowledge of Good & Evil." Man thereby gained the "knowledge of good and evil" but thereby mankind became independent and dead toward God. Adam had illicitly gained "Knowledge" by that other tree, expecting to make himself to be independent "as gods," just as the Serpent had told Eve it would (cf., Gen 3:5). Since the fall of Adam, all men have four needs. Mankind needed to be justified of his sin debt to be reconciled to God (Rom 5:10a). Mankind needed freedom from the Power of Sin operating in man's flesh (Rom 6:18). Being dead toward God all men need to become regenerated in their human spirit to make them eternally alive unto God, and much more... make them able to live righteously. Paul wrote; "... he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost" (Titus 3:5) "For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved (sozo, completed) by HIS LIFE." (Rom 5:10) God Remedied the Three Needs of Man. Each remedy flows from the Cross of Christ... Deals with the negative of "Sins," the acts of a sin nature - God the Father gave Jesus to shed His blood for all sins, FOR US. (Rom 3:24) Deals with negative of the "Sin nature" of the Old Adamic Man - Jesus died AS US, making Sin "of no effect," disarming Sin of power (Rom 6:6-7) To bring about the Positive of the cross, the germination of new life in man by the resurrected "Spirit of Life in Christ" to dwell in believers. Titus 3:5 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration (in our spirit), and renewing of the Holy Ghost (in soul); By Jesus' resurrection, Christ's life was released as "The Spirit of Life" to enter and regenerate man's spirit with Christ's own resurrected "Spirit of Life" with its spontaneous "LAW of Life." 1 Cor. 15:45 The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was made (became) a quickening spirit. 2 Cor. 3:17a Now the Lord is that Spirit John 3:6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. 1 Cor. 6:17 But he that is joined unto the Lord is one spirit. Galatians 2:20 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. How does Christ's Life in the Believer and Make Believers Like Him? Its by a rebirth that is of God's "Seed (Gk., sperma)... which is Christ" (Gal 3:16, cf., 1Peter 1:23). 1Peter 1:23 born again, not of corruptible SEED, but of incorruptible, by the word (Christ) of God (cf., Jn 1:1)... 2 Peter 1:4 Whereby ... by these ye might be partakers of the Divine Nature, … Having Christ's Spirit "Seed" we have His DNA. We as believers can say, "as he is, so are we in this world. " (1 John 4:17) Being crucified with Christ... Christ in us is now our only governing life. Galatians 2:20 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. The growth of His Life within us is from our Center (our spirit) to our Circumference (our soul). Having been made alive "in spirit," we're then able to have... The conscience of our spirit is active to govern us from within, either permitting or convicting us. Fellowship with God by Christ's indwelling union with us. We have "the mind of Christ" (1Cor 2:16), intuitively knowing what we need to know. The Regeneration of our Spirit by His Spirit (Titus 3:5) affects our Soul... to govern our body. A Renewed our "mindset" (phroneo), emotion and will, as subservient to the Spirit … Affecting our thoughts, affections, decisions and desires. To "mortify the deeds" of the body and enliven the body (Rom. 8:13, 11) under His governance. Christ Sanctifies us completely… as He flows from our spirit, to our soul, to then the govern our body. 1 Thes. 5:23 …God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body … Romans 8:14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. Willing & Doing by the Order of "the Law of the Spirit of Life in Christ." Philip. 2:13 it is God which (by Christ's Spirit) worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure. "To will" is soul function. "To do" is often a body function, so our body must come under subjection. Romans 8:13 For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye (as a soul) through the Spirit do mortify the DEEDS of the BODY, ye shall live (have life operating effectively through you). The "Unction (anointing)" of Christ's Spirit … by the "Law of the Spirit of Life" gives innate knowing. Our Spirit-ears innately hear, our Spirit eyes innately see... by the sense we have of Christ's Spirit of Life. 1 John 2:20, 27 ye have an unction (anointing) from the Holy One (Christ), and ye know all things. 27the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him. The "Law of Life" operates according to God's Sinless Nature in every believer's spirit. The Natural Operation of the Law of His Seeded Life In Us "Cannot Sin." 1 John 3:9 Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God. "The Law of the Spirit of Life" supersedes… "the Law of Sin & Death" operating in our flesh. Romans 8:2 the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath (already) Made Me Free From (dominion of) The Law Of Sin And Death (operating from our flesh; cf., Rom 8:3b). Christ's Life Must be Permitted to Lead Us … By the Sense of Christ in our Spirit. Romans 8:14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God (in believers), they are the sons of God. Romans 8:4 the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. Galatians 5:25 If (since) we live (have life) in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. We Live Out of Our HEART. Our heart reacts by our soul's thinking, leading to our doing. Romans 8:5-6 For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. 6 For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Philippians 2:5 Let this mind (Gk., phroneo, mindset) be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: He knows our heart. The "Spirit of Life" reveals our heart Heb 4:12 the word of God is quick (alive), and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow... a discerner of the thoughts and of the heart. Living by the outer written Law makes the Inner "Law of Spirit of Life in Christ" of no effect. Galatians 5:4 Christ (as LIFE) is become of no effect (emasculated) unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace. Men Need God's "Light to shine" though the darkness enshrouding our "hearts." 2 Cor. 4:6 For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our "hearts", to give the light of the knowledge of the glory (expression) of God in the face of Jesus Christ. The "vail" is "taken away" when the Heart is Turned from Outer "Mosaic Law" toward the Light of Christ's Spirit… this brings liberty and TRANSFORMS the HEART. 2Cor. 3:15-17 ...unto this day, when Moses (Law) is read, the vail is upon their heart. 16Nevertheless when it (the heart) shall turn to the Lord, the vail shall be taken away.17Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. 18 But we all, with open (unveiled) face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed (Gk. metamorphosis) into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord. Only by the SPIRIT ORGAN of our heart, can we contact, hear & know Christ Proverbs 4:23 Keep (maintain) thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues (collective issues) of life (our whole life, "chay," masculine plural, body, soul, spirit life). BUT a Closed Heart (by its will) - IMPRISONS the flow of the Spirit. Proverbs 2:1-11 My son, if thou wilt receive my words (God's speaking by spirit into our soul), and hide my commandments with thee; So that thou incline thine ear (openness of heart) unto wisdom, and apply (cause to yield, stretch forth, open) thine heart to understanding; Yea, if thou criest after knowledge, and liftest up thy voice for understanding; If thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as for hid treasures; Then shalt thou understand the fear (reverence) of the Lord, and find the knowledge of God. For the Lord giveth wisdom (Christ the WORD): out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding. He layeth up sound wisdom for the righteous: he is a buckler to them that walk uprightly. He keepeth the paths of judgment (discretion), and preserveth the way of his saints. Then shalt thou understand righteousness, and judgment, and equity; yea, every good path. When wisdom (Christ's) entereth (flows into) into thine heart (from the spirit), and knowledge is pleasant (agreeable) unto thy soul… We Must Exercise our self to turn our hearts to the ever-present "Spirit of LIFE" within us. If we stir our emotions, … BUT DON'T TOUCH SPIRIT…Nothing genuine happens. Emotions often arise out of a group dynamics involving lively music and expressive demonstrations that are no different than the emotions that arise at a rock concert. Even if we fill the mind with Bible information, but DON'T Touch spirit… still nothing beneficial genuine happens. Only ...the spirit giveth LIFE. (2Cor 3:6b) We must grow to Love God enough to allow Him to … lead us Romans 8:14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the (grown) sons of God. To live by "the Law of the Spirit of Life"… we simply love Christ and... walk with Him accordingly. For us to "love God" we must sometimes must learn to deal with our straying heart's mind by resetting it upon the spirit. "For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. 6 For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace." (Rom 8:5-6) Having received His life and love... and with the proper mindset, we can be co-transmitters of His life and Love to others. We must obey the Conscience of our Heart as the 1st Sense of Life Philip. 2:12-13 Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed (listen or hear as a subordinate – co-operator), not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. 13For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure. Paul Recognized the Control of "The Law of the Spirit of Life" guiding him. Acts 16:6-7 Now when they (Paul and Barnabas) had gone throughout Phrygia and the region of Galatia, and were forbidden of the Holy Ghost to preach the word in Asia, 7After they were come to Mysia, they assayed to go into Bithynia: but the Spirit suffered them not. Paul's own life offers us guidance for maintaining a peaceful heart with a clean conscience. Acts 24:16 I (Paul) exercise myself, to have always a conscience void of offence toward God, and toward men. This is how we may have and live by "the Law (regulating principle) of the Spirit of Life in Christ Jesus." Questions or Comment? You can make comments or ask questions using this form. I welcome your questions and comments for discussion but … I will not engage in arguments with anyone. We can always agree to disagree. Search formSearch THIS WEBSITE IS DEDICATED TO; • The proclamation of the riches of God’s abundant, exceeding grace (Rom. 5:20; 11:6; Eph. 1:7) • The affirmation of God’s purpose to save all mankind through the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ (I Timothy 2:3, 4; 4:10; Titus 2:11) • The “preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began” (Rom. 16:25) until it was revealed to Paul sas "the Apostle to the Gentiles." 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ABOUT ME As you read through the various Articles and Study Series I've posted in this website, you will note that the topic of my writing always concerns Christ and our living relationship with Him. I thought some may want to know who I am and my point of view. Every Christian is the product of their life experiences and God's intervention in their lives. I'm just like you if you too are a believer who has received the regenerating "Spirit of life in Christ Jesus." We thus are recipients of God the Father's grace, love and His literal life, received in the person His Son, Jesus Christ, as "the Spirit of life" (Rom 8:2a, cf., 2Cor 3:17, 1John 4:13). Christ literally indwells our spirit (cf., John 3:6, 1Cor 6:17, Rom 8:16) as our new and eternal life (Col 3:4, Gal 2:20). See more. RECENT ARTICLES Why Does the Book of Acts End Abruptly? The Book of Acts opens where the Gospel record of its write, Luke, left off. Just compare Luke 24 and Acts 1. Luke is again writing to Theophilus to... Paul’s God-Given Credentials and Authority Christians of today’s age of “the dispensation of the grace of God” need to see and appreciate how that Paul alone is “the Apostle to the... Our Relationship to “This Present Evil World” “[Christ] Who gave himself for our sins, [so] that he might deliver us from this present evil ‘world’ [Grk. kosmos, the cosmic arrangement of this... Receiving Christ as Your Personal Savior “And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth [of the gospel], that they might... ‘With’ and ‘By’ Are Different We know there is a great deal of difference between pronouns and prepositions, but there also are differences among prepositions! These parts of... The Anatomy of Man Mankind had his beginning as seen here in Genesis 2:7.Gen. 2:7 the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground (earth), and breathed into his... Spiritual Understanding Honest, prayerful study of the Word brings us to spiritual maturity and understanding. But does it not require superior intellectual powers to... Genuine Worship In this study we will look into what Biblically constitutes the genuine ‘worship’ of Almighty God.Many confuse genuine worship with attending a so-... Forgiveness, Conditional versus UnConditional Three quarter of the Bibles consist of that which applies to the Nation Israel only as described under it's Mosaic Law system as well as the words of... God’s Work For, In, and Through the Believer The heart of the genuine intelligized believer is toward the Lord from the day of their salvation… then desiring to live righteously and according to... Dispensational Distinctions in Paul’s Epistles Distinctions are to be note, as seen below, from among ‘The Pre and Post Acts Period’ Epistles of Paul. This below, from H.W. Fry (1848-1938), is... The Biblical Queen of Heaven? Some say the term “Queen of Heaven” is Biblical. Yes, it is, but not in a good way. I will let this article answer the question; “Who is the “Queen... Antichrist’s Confirmation of the Covenant and ‘The Mark, Name, and Number of the Beast’ By Arthur J Licursi - January 19, 2021 The account seen in the Daniel 9:27, below, includes ‘the affirmation of a covenant’ by the Antichrist,... The Paradox of God's Grace Observations of Bible Truth for TodayIn Paul’s “the gospel of the grace of God” we find a striking paradox. There we see God Himself;condemning the... Power without Strength By William R. Newell“And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect [complete] in weakness. Most gladly... See more. RECENT SERIES Paul’s God-Given Calling, Credentials and Authority A 2- Part Study of Paul's Unique Calling and place in the eternal plan of God as Applies today. God’s Explanation and Remedy for the Present State of ‘Distress on the Earth’ A 4-Part Study By Arthur J Licursi Conditional Forgiveness versus UnConditional Forgiveness A 2-Part StudyBy Arthur J LicursiThree quarter of the Bible consist of that which applies to the Nation Israel only as described under it Mosaic Law... The Mystery of Man & His Search A 4-Part Study ofBy Arthur J Licursi Understanding the Make-up of the Human being and What Drives Mankind The Triune God A 3-Part Study The Trinity Understnadably Explained Religious Disunity Born of God’s Truth By Arthur J. LicursiA Three-Part Study of ‘The Truth’ of the Person of Christ In the Believer andHow Christ as The Truth is Often Opposed by Man’s... Propitiation, Remission, and the Forbearance of God A 2-Part Study explaining the working of the Cross which "was hid from ages and generations" until it was revealed to Paul for us today. God’s Turn from Israel to the Gentiles - A Six-part Study Series -Defining the key details of the Acts ‘Dispensational Transition Period,’ which occurred with the Acts 15 Jerusalem Council... “He Led Captivity Captive” A Seven-Part Study SeriesBy Arthur J LicursiClarifying the Truth of Exactly How “He [Jesus] Led Captivity Captive.”Defining “Hell”Explaining exactly... Psalm 23 Explained A 3-Part Study By Arthur J LicursiTogether, Psalms 22, 23, and 24 form a Prophetic trilogy addressing core truths regarding Christ coming as the... Is the Rapture Pre-Trib or Pre-Wrath? A 6-Part Study Series Explaining the Timing of the Rapture and How the Gentile ‘Grace Believers’ of This AgeWill Escape the Great Sufferings of... Self-Control A 2-Part Study concerning; The need for All Believers to Become Self-controlled by the work of the indwelling “Spirit of Life in Christ Jesus” Miracles of The End Times A 2-Part Studyby Arthur J LicursiIn the Bible the phrases “the last days” and “the day of the Lord” and “The day of Christ” refer to different times... Man Made in God’s Image A 3-Part Studyof ‘Man made in the image of God’ as compared to Jesus Christwho "IS the image of God," as Seen an His embodiment of the “Shekinah... ‘Born Again’ - It is Not What Most Christians Think 3-Part Explanation of theThe Biblical Meaning of the term “Born Again” As it relates to the ‘Nation Israel’ and the Church, “the Body of Christ” See more. NEWS OF BIBLICAL INTEREST Skies Over Jordan Open Up to Israeli Flights On Thursday, the Israel Ministry of Transportation announced that an agreement had been reached with Jordan allowing commercial flights to overfly each country’s airspace. Though negotiations have been in the works for several years, the recently-signed Abraham Accords facilitated the agreement with Jordan. The agreement will drastically shorten routes to Gulf states and East Asia for all involved parties. As stated in the Abraham Accords which called for such cooperation in transport, it will also allow the UAE and Bahrain along with other countries in the region, to fly over Israeli airspace. The official announcement states that the move “will lead to substantial savings in fuel, will reduce polluting emissions, and contribute to the quality of the environment.” “This is a successful conclusion to negotiations that started several years ago but that were accelerated and completed only after the signing of the peace agreement with the UAE and the historic permit for Israeli flights over Saudi Arabia,” the joint announcement says. Transportation Minister Miri Regev said “we are once again breaking new boundaries, and this time it is in the air.” “Thanks to this agreement, Israel is better integrated into the region,” she added. “We are opening new routes for cooperation in transportation, economics and diplomacy with the states sharing borders and shared interests with us, and a partnership in the vision for regional peace.” Last week, Saudi Arabia and Bahrain agreed to allow flights between Israel and the United Arab Emirates to use their airspace. Following the U.S.-brokered agreement between Israel and the United Arab Emirates, a joint U.S.-Israeli delegation flew from Israel to the UAE on Aug. 31 and used Saudi airspace to do so. Copyright © 2021, Arthur Licursi. Theme by Devsaran.

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Two Journeys Ministry Online In-Depth Biblical Content by Dr. Andy Davis Learn More SEARCH SERMONS ARTICLES PODCASTS CLASSES BOOKS TOPICS ABOUT ANDY MORE DONATE Two Journeys Sinfully Minded versus Spiritually Minded (Romans Sermon 50 of 120) Audio Player 00:00 00:00 SINFULLY MINDED VERSUS SPIRITUALLY MINDED (ROMANS SERMON 50 OF 120) January 06, 2002 | Andrew Davis ROMANS 8:5-8 WAR AGAINST THE FLESH, LIFE IN THE SPIRIT, WORKS OF THE FLESH, WALK BY FAITH, INDWELLING SIN Notes An Eternal Promise, or a Temporary Meal? Please, if you would take your scriptures and open to Romans 8. And we're going to be looking this morning, at verses 5-8. Romans 8:5-8. Do you enjoy a good stew? Do you like stew? Think about it. Did you have something hot on Thursday? You know what I'm talking about, maybe some beef stew, or with some kind of chunks of potato, or something steaming, something thick. You need something thick and hot on a day like that. Do you like a good stew? I love a good stew, but I wouldn't trade Heaven for a good stew. And it's shocking to me, that the Bible records the story of a man who did, in effect, just that. I'm talking, of course, about Esau. Now, we're preaching in Romans 8, but you know the story about Esau. And there was a day, in which he came in from the open country. He was a hunter. I am not a hunter, but he was a hunter. And I guess, when you've been hunting all day long, and came up empty, you come home hungry, and you want something to eat. And Jacob was making a stew that day, and it smelled so good. It smelled delicious. And Esau said to Jacob, "Give me some of that stew. It smells good." And Jacob said in response, "First, sell me your birthright." Now, what is the significance of that birthright? Well, you remember that we've been learning in Romans chapter 4, that the moment that Abraham was justified was the moment that God made a promise to him. You remember what I'm talking about? God took Abraham out and had him look up at the stars. He had promised him a child, a child of promise. He had already said earlier, "Through your offspring, through your seed, all peoples on Earth will be blessed." Well, Abraham continued to move on, year after year, his wife Sarah continued to get older. She was still barren, and it seemed like the promise was fruitless, just like her womb. And so, at one point, in Genesis 15, he said, "Lord, what can you give me, since I remain childless? You haven't given me a child." And so He took Abraham out, and had him look at the stars, and said, "Look up at the heavens and count the stars, if indeed you can count them... So shall your offspring be." That's a promise. He made him a promise, "So shall your offspring be." You'll have as many descendants as there are stars. And one of those descendants would be the blessing to every people, and tribe, and language, and nation on Earth." Abraham heard that promise. He believed God and it was credited to him as righteousness. Well, Abraham had a son, Isaac, and Isaac had twin sons, Jacob and Esau. And you know that Isaac explained all this to those boys, you know he did, from when they were early enough to understand the significance of why they were living in tents, wandering around in a country not their own. And there was a promise that they would inherit that land, but the Amorites still lived there, and Isaac continued to tell the twins, Jacob and Esau, it wouldn't be theirs, but it would belong to their descendants after them, after they had sojourned in a country not their own for a long time. And so, one day, Esau came in, and he was hungry. His tummy was empty, he wanted something to eat. And Jacob said to the firstborn, Esau... He was the firstborn... "Sell me your birthright." And do you remember what Esau said? He said, "What good a birthright to me?" "I'm about to die from hunger. Give me some of that stew. You can have the birthright. It means nothing to me." That is about the opposite, as opposite as you can get from, "Abraham believed God and He credited it him as righteousness." This promise meant nothing to Esau, if only he could have a bowl of stew. And so, we have displayed before us, in living form, the doctrine that Paul is going to teach us today, concerning the mind of the flesh. Look at it again in verse 5, "Those who are, " literally, it says, "In the flesh, have their mind set on the flesh, but those who live in the Spirit, have their mind set on what the Spirit desires." So we have before us two different ways of looking at life, two different minds, as it were: The carnal mind, the fleshly mind, the mind controlled by the sinful nature. And then you have the spiritual mind, the mind controlled by the Spirit, by the promise of God. And so, therefore, we have a radical transformation that's been described, because all of us were born into Esau-ishness. Is that a word? We were born like Esau, whose god was their stomach. I have a little five-month-old, whose god is his stomach right now, if he has a god. He lives for feeding that desire. We are born into that, aren't we? And at some point, a transformation occurs, where we would not sell our birthright, any longer, for a bowl of stew, a radical transformation. I. A Radical Transformation Now, in Romans chapter 8, Paul is laboring to prove his original premise, "There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus." And so, all of chapter 8, he's going to be laying out proofs that that is true. That is unspeakably precious to people who are of Jacob's mind, who hear the Word of God and believe it. A promise from God means everything, and so he's trying to prove it. And now, in the verses we're looking at this morning, Paul is going to pick up on what he said at the end, in verse 4. He's describing who it is true for, that there is no condemnation. It's not true of everybody. As a matter of fact, Jesus said that most are on the road to destruction. It's true, of only a certain category of people, that there's no condemnation, and so he's describing it. He said in verse 4, "In order that the righteous requirements of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the sinful nature, but according to the Spirit, for those who live according to the flesh, [this sinful nature] have their mind set on what that nature desires." He's describing the category of people, that it's true of them, that there is no condemnation. On Judgment Day, they will be acquitted, they will go to Heaven when they die, they are saved. Who is it true of? It’s true of those who do not have the carnal mind, the fleshly mind, but those who have the mind of the Spirit. And so he gives us Romans chapter 8, either that we may be assured of our salvation, because we look inward, and we see that that new mind has come to us. We have been transformed from the carnal mind to the spiritual mind, that we may be assured that we may have joy of our salvation. And from that joy, we may have power to serve Him, to put sin to death, to grow. From that fruit, comes eternal life, from all of that. That we may be assured or that we may be warned, that we are still under condemnation, because we are characterized by the fleshly minds. He's giving us either assurance or warning here. Paul is Describing All Christians Now, I want to make two key assertions, as we look at this text. First of all, I'm asserting that Paul is describing here all Christians, when he talks about those who are controlled by the Spirit. What do I mean by that? There's not, I don't believe, a special class or category of Christian, halfway between converted and unconverted, that we would call the carnal Christian, that you have the unconverted, the carnal Christian, and then the spiritual Christian. I am denying that. I believe that He's talking here about all Christians, and about all non-Christians, and he's making a big cleaving and a dividing of the human race into these two categories, as he's done all the way through, from Romans 5, into 6 and 7, and now 8. You're either in Adam or you're in Christ. You're either under the law or you're in the Spirit. You're either saved or you're not. And so that's what you do. I don't believe he's talking about a special category or class called the spiritual Christians, the Holy Spirit-filled Christian. He's going to say, very plainly, "If you don't have the Spirit, you're not a Christian." We'll get to that, God-willing, next time. There's not a special category, nor is there a second blessing needed, so that you need to be baptized with the Holy Spirit, not having had the Spirit, but you're already justified. That's impossible. If you are justified, you have received the indwelling Holy Spirit. That's the first assertion that I want to make. The distinction here is between Christian and non-Christian, not between immature Christian and mature Christian, or between somebody living right at that moment, and somebody who's not living right at that moment. Total Transformation is Absolutely Essential to Salvation Secondly, I want to say that this total transformation, from the carnal mindset to the spiritual mindset, is absolutely essential to salvation. If it hasn't happened in you, you're not saved. You have not been justified. You are still in your sins, you're still under condemnation. Those are the two assertions that I want to make. Martyn Lloyd-Jones put it this way, "Christianity involves a complete radical change in the nature of the human being. A radical change in your mind, in your heart, from within. Something that is supernatural, something that can only be done by God, a radical change in your nature." II. The Gift of the Holy Spirit Now, as we come to this text, and as we continue on in Romans 8, we're coming to the issue of the gift of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit has been mentioned four times in the first seven chapters of Romans. He is going to be mentioned over 20 times in this chapter. This is the chapter of the Spirit, the indwelling Holy Spirit. John MacArthur put it this way, "The Spirit is to a believer, what God, the Creator, is to the physical world. Without God, the physical world would not exist. Without the Spirit, a Christian would not be a Christian." And so we have the gift of the Holy Spirit. The Gift Promised Now, the gift was promised. It is the promised gift. You remember Joel chapter 2, "And afterward, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams. Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days." This is the promise of Joel. And so Paul, in Ephesians 1:13, says, "He is the Spirit of promise." He is the promised Holy Spirit. He's been promised to us. Just like God made a promise to Abraham, so this promise has been given to us. The Promise Fulfilled: Peter’s Sermon And so, on the Day of Pentecost, it came true. God poured out His Holy Spirit on all who believed, all who were assembled there. And so Peter, by the power of the Spirit, stood up, and preached a great Pentecostal message, and people who heard it in Jerusalem were cut to their heart, and they said to Peter and the other apostles, "Brothers, what shall we do?" And Peter answered, "Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise is for you and your children, and for all who are far off, for all whom the Lord, your God, will call." Who are the ones who are far off, is it not us? Durham is a long way from Jerusalem, isn't it? The year 2002 is a long way from the time that Peter preached that sermon. "For all who are far off, for all whom the Lord God will call." The promise is for you. The gift of the Holy Spirit is yours. We're talking about this promised Holy Spirit. The Gift From Above Well, what is this gift? How shall we describe the gift of the Holy Spirit? What is the power of the Spirit? Is it some impersonal force, like electricity that comes out of an outlet, and you take an extension cord, and plug it in, and you've got this power flowing through you? And if you unplug the cord, the machine stops, but if you plug it back in, it starts going, is that what it is? Is it kind of like, "Use the force, Luke"? Is that what it is? Absolutely not. He is not electricity and he is not the force of Star Wars. He is the third person of the Trinity. He is a person. He has a will. He has an intellect. He has passions and desires. He has a plan. He has a personality. And if you're a believer, He lives inside of you today, the indwelling Holy Spirit. Look at verse 9 in our text. I know that we're not covering it today, but look at it. "You, however, are not controlled by the sinful nature, but by the Spirit," or controlled by the Spirit, "if the Spirit of God," look at this, "lives in you." If He dwells, if He has taken up residence within you. And he says, "If anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Christ." Do you see that? It's very plain. If you're a Christian, the Spirit lives in you, He dwells in you. It's the very promise that Jesus had made in John 14 about the Comforter, "Another Comforter, whom the world cannot receive, but you can receive Him, for He lives with you," Jesus said, "And will be in you," the indwelling Holy Spirit. And so Paul is going to talk about the activity of the gift of the Spirit, in Romans chapter 8. He's very active. He is not passive in your life. He basically comes in like a King, and takes over, and He controls, and He moves, and He works, and He does not take sin lightly. He is the Holy Spirit, and so He works in you. He works in you to put sin to death. We'll talk about that, God willing. He works in you to testify to your Spirit, that you're a child of God. He works in you, so that you go through Christ's sufferings with Him. He works in you, so that you can pray effectively and powerfully. He is active, He is working, He is assuring, He is comforting, He's convicting, He's moving, He's indwelling, the indwelling Spirit. III. The Carnally-Minded Person Now, in verse five, we talk about the carnally-minded person. Now, we've got two categories. The carnally or the sinfully-minded person does not have the indwelling Spirit, and so he's got a mind of the flesh. He's got the carnal mind. Look again at verse Five, "Those who live according to the sinful nature, have their minds set on what that nature desires. But those who live in accordance with the Spirit, have their mind set on what the Spirit desires." We have two different categories of people that we're comparing. We have the carnal, fleshly mindset, and we have the Spirit-controlled mindset. Two different categories. And may I say that these two types of people that live in this world, just simply do not understand each other? They don't. The Spirit-filled person makes no sense at all to the carnally-minded person, "Why in the world would you live the way you do, suffering, making sacrifices, and for what? When you could have it all. When you could have it all." And meanwhile, the spiritually-minded person looks at the carnally-minded, and says, "What are you thinking? This is all temporary. In a flash, your life will be over, and then you're gonna stand before God, and give an account on Judgment Day. What will you do then?" And so we make no sense to each other, but we make up the whole population of the world: The carnally-minded and the spiritually-minded, the non-Christian and the Christian. Under (Therefore After) the Flesh: Position, Desire, and Lifestyle Well, let's try to understand this carnal mind. First, "Of this person, they are under the flesh." That's what the text literally says. The NIV does not do a great job here. Literally, "This person is under or in the flesh, and therefore, they are after the flesh." That's the point. It's a matter of position first, mindset or desire second, lifestyle third. Do you understand how that works? What kingdom are you a member of? What kingdom are you part of? How do you think in that kingdom, and out of that, how do you live your life? Position, desire or mindset lifestyle. Well, what is the position of the carnally-minded person? They are enslaved to sin. They are in Adam. They are under the law. They are under condemnation. They have no power to refuse sin. Sin has authority over them. They are enslaved to sin. Alright, well, what of their mind? They desire, or yearn for, or think about the things of the flesh, the things of the world, and as a result, they live out a lifestyle accordingly. Now, what is the carnal mind? If you were to say... Maybe you don't say it anymore... But when I was a child, I had an older sister. And from time to time, I would tell her to mind her own business. Now, when you say to somebody, "Mind your own business," what are we saying? "Be busy with, be active in, be engaged in your own affairs, and let me do that for myself." So when we use the word 'mind,' you're talking about being busy. Or if you leave somebody to "mind the store." We don't really talk that way anymore, but that's how it used to mean... Look after the store, tend the customers that come in, sweep the floors, make it look nice, mind the store. And so this carnally minded person is minding the things of the flesh, the things of the world. They're thinking about them. They're passionate over them. Now, look back at Romans 1:28, and this mind has already been described to us, but it's been so long ago, since I preached on this, that I think it would be worth looking at again. Romans 1:28, this is describing those people apart from God, under the wrath of God, probably Gentiles in context. He's going to get to the Jews in chapter 2, but in verse 28, he says, "Furthermore, since they did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God, He gave them over [look] "to a depraved mind." Do you see that? "To do what ought not to be done." That is the carnal mind I'm describing, the mind, the desire, the way of thinking. It's a worldview. And out of that, comes everything that follows, "To a depraved mind, to do what ought not to be done," Verse 29, "They become filled with every kind of wickedness, evil, greed, and depravity. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, and malice. They are gossips, slanderers, God haters, insolent, arrogant, and boastful. They invent ways of doing evil. They disobey their parents. They are senseless, faithless, heartless, ruthless." This is the carnal mind, and then the lifestyle that flows from it. Do you see it? "He gave them over to a depraved mind, to do," it says, "What ought not to be done." It's a yearning after those things. Now, when you think about the sins of the flesh, you tend to think of, perhaps, sexual sins, or addictive-type sins, like alcohol, or drugs, that kind of thing, but it extends to a bigger area than that. In First John 2:15-17, John lists the lust of the eyes, the lust of the flesh, and the boastful pride of life, as being those things in the world. These are the worldly things. This is what the devil has to offer. Imagine the devil, like a waiter, coming to your table and say, "Well, today, we have three things on the menu. We're going to offer the lust of the eyes, the lust of the flesh, and the boastful pride of life." He's been offering the same menu for 2,000 years. It never changes. It's always the same stuff, and so he's offering that. John Bunyan, in his brilliant "Pilgrim's Progress," talked about it in terms of Vanity Fair. You remember Vanity Fair? And Bunyan described the world this way, "At this fair, are all such merchandise sold, as houses, lands, trades, places, honors, preferments, titles, countries, kingdoms, lusts, pleasures, and delights of all sorts, as harlots, wives, husbands, children, masters, servants, lives, blood, bodies, souls, silver, gold, pearls, precious stones, and whatnot." You can put anything you want in 'whatnot.' Now, we have DVDs, and computers, and four-wheel drive automobiles, whatever. 'Whatnot' is what he called it. "And moreover, at this fair, there is at all times to be seen jugglings, cheats, games, plays, fools, apes, knaves, and rogues, and that of every kind. Here are to be seen too, and that for nothing, thefts, murders, adulteries, false swearers, and that of a blood red color. Now, as I said, the way to the celestial city lies just through this town, where this lusty fair is kept. And he that will go to the celestial city, and yet, not go through this town, must needs leave this world." You got to go through Vanity Fair. You've got to walk through this Vanity Fair. And the carnally-minded man looks at that, and says, "Wow, what an exciting place. What a great thing this is." A spiritually minded man says, "Lord, deliver me from this place. What a weird world we live in." But it extends beyond, just what we call the sins of the flesh. Trench put it this way, "It's the floating mass of thought, opinions, maxims, speculations, hopes, impulses, aims, and aspirations, at any time current in the world." Do you know what I'm talking about, worldview? You just listen to a talk radio station, read an op-ed, an editorial page in a newspaper, listen to the news, and see if you can see any bias there at all. Just listen and take in. You know what I'm talking about. It's the mind of the flesh, and it extends even to the greatest accomplishments of the human race: Political interests apart from God, social causes apart from God, cultural achievements apart from God, human philosophies, human art, human culture, human music, human literature, all of them done apart from God. An illustration of this is Ludwig von Beethoven, the composer. A young composer that he was teaching sent him one of his works, and at the bottom, he said, "With God's help, I will try to improve this piece." And he crossed out the words, "With God's help," and scrawled below it, "O man, help thyself." I think Beethoven drank a little too much of that Enlightenment philosophy, and as he lay on his deathbed... I'm talking about Beethoven now... I think it was in Vienna. There was a weird storm. The sky was odd looking. There was thunder, and there was lightning, and it rained. And Beethoven looked out, bitter, probably because of his deafness, and he shook his fist at the sky. And shortly thereafter, he died. Even the highest and best that we achieve, apart from God, that's what I'm talking about when I talk about the carnal mind. Psalm 10:4 puts it this way, "In his pride, the wicked does not seek God. In all his thoughts, there is no room for God." There's no room for God. We talk at Christmas time about there being no room at the inn for Jesus Christ. In the carnal mind, there's no place for God. And so it is, therefore, a life bounded by the body. The five sense world is everything: What you can smell, what you can taste, what you can touch, what you can feel, what you can see. Paul talked about it in Philippians Three, "For as I've often told you before, and now, say again, even with tears, many live as enemies of the cross of Christ. Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame. Their mind is on earthly things, but our citizenship is in Heaven." And there's the contrast between Esau and Jacob. There's the contrast between a carnal mind and a spiritual mind. And Esau is the poster child for that, living for the flesh, living for the stomach. Now, in verse 6, it says of this carnally-minded person, "The carnal mindedness is spiritual death." Look at verse 6, it says, "The mind of the flesh [or the mind controlled by the flesh] is death." It's not nearly that it leads to death, it is death, dead already. Ephesians 2 says, "As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world." Dead already, dead to spiritual things, have no interest. John MacArthur talks about a tragic funeral that he went to, or actually, officiated at, a funeral for a baby girl killed in a traffic accident. And he remembers distinctly, the mother kept picking up the lifeless body of this little infant, and crying over it, and holding it, and talking to it, speaking to it, singing to it, but there was no response, and there never would be a response. The baby's dead. And so it is for the carnally-minded person with spiritual things. It doesn't matter how you say it. It doesn't matter how you preach it. It doesn't matter how it's presented. The person is dead. They will never understand it. They will never relate to it. They're dead in transgressions and sins. William Wilberforce and William Pitt In the early 1800s, in England, there was a man named William Wilberforce. He led England out of slavery, he and a group of other people. England was in the slave trade. And William Wilberforce said, "This is sin. It is wrong." This is way before the American Civil War. And so he was a godly man, a committed Christian. He had a best friend named William Pitt. William Pitt was Prime Minister of England. Pitt was a nominal Anglican, nominally went to church, but really wasn't all that interested in these things. And William Wilberforce was very concerned about the spiritual life of his friend. And so he invited him, again and again, to hear one particular preacher that he loved to hear, Richard Cecil, in London. He was a fiery, passionate Evangelical preacher. William Pitt really didn't have the time, wasn't interested, but finally, one day, he said, "You know, Wilberforce, I'd like to come with you and hear this guy." And so, they went, and listened, and Cecil was at his best. He was preaching. He was empowered by the Spirit. He was speaking of things to come. He was speaking of the Heavenly realms, and he was speaking of the promises that we have laid before us in Romans. He was talking about these things, and Wilberforce, for a time, just forgot that his friend was there, and was just, himself, caught up in these things. They were delightful to him. But then, toward the end, he began to wonder what his friend Pitt was thinking about. Well, he didn't have to wait long, because as the two of them walked out, Pitt looked over to Wilberforce and said, "You know, Wilberforce, I have not the slightest idea what that man was talking about." That is the carnal mind. That's somebody who's spiritually dead. And somebody's sitting right next to him, whose ear drums are vibrating the exact same way, heard in those words, life itself, the promise of eternal life. "You know, Wilberforce, I have not the slightest idea what that man is talking about." That's the carnal mind. That man was bored by it, couldn't be bothered, wasn't interested in it, couldn't figure it out. The Hostility of the Sinful Mind Toward God 1 Corinthians 2:14 says, "The man without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned," and so they are spiritually dead, and as a result of this, they're at war with God. In verse seven, "The sinful mind," it says, "Is hostile to God," at enmity or hostility to God. This is either a settled rebellion against the Word of God, or is a sense of passive indifference, a sense in which we don't really care about the things of God. "Well, we're going to craft God in our own image." We're going to say, "I like to think of God as a good friend." "I like to think of God as a gentle breeze on a summer day." "I like to think of God as a buddy, who comes alongside when I need Him." "But I sure don't like to think about the God of the Bible, the God who is the Holy Judge of the world, a God who can do what He wants with what He's made, without asking us, a God who dwells in unapproachable light, a God who reveals His wrath and His justice everyday, a God who has the right to make laws and enforce them." This is the God they do not love. And so Existentialist French philosopher, Jean-Paul Sartre said, "Even if such a God existed, we would have to pretend He did not exist, so that we could live our lives." That is that carnal mindset, a desire to be free from the God of the Bible. And as a result, it's rebellious against God's love. Verse 7, "It does not submit to God's law, nor can it do so." When I was up in New England, I frequently saw pro-abortion bumper stickers, one that would say, "Keep your laws off my body." Have you ever seen that? "Keep your laws off my body." Well, that itself, just even apart from the abortion issue, that is representative of this attitude here. "I don't want God's laws on me. I don't want His laws on me." But you know something? God's laws are all over your body. As a matter of fact, God's law has actually crawled into your brain and say, "You shall not covet your neighbor's goods." "Coveting? That's an attitude of the mind, that's wanting something." That's right and it's forbidden in the 10 Commandments. God's laws are all over you and the carnal mind says, "I don't want God's laws on me. Keep your laws off me." There's a hostility and rebellion against God's laws. And so how will they live? Well, they'll live their way. Frank Sinatra sang it, didn't he? "I did it my way." And so they make their way through the world the way they see best. They construct their own morality, and live up to it, and they do it their way. That is the carnal mindset. And as a result, verse 8, "It is impossible for them to please God." Those controlled by the sinful nature cannot please God. It is impossible for them to please God. There is nothing in them at all that pleases God. And so people who think that they're going to stand before God, and give good works for their sin, they don't understand. They don't have any. It's not that they don't have enough, it's that they don't have any. There are no good works, because none of it was done to please God, none of it done to glorify Him. All of it, just a testimony to human arrogance and pride. Summary of the Carnal Mindset Position, they are under the flesh. They are in Adam. They are apart from the life of God. As a result, they have a mind, a desire after the flesh. They have a taste for the things of this world, and as a result of that, they live a certain kind of lifestyle. Well, that is the carnal mind. IV. The Spiritually-Minded Person Under (Therefore After) the Spirit: Position, Desire, and Lifestyle What of the spiritual mind? Well, it's exactly the opposite. Look again at verse 5, "Those in the Spirit," it says, "set their minds on the things of the Spirit." This person is under, and therefore, after the Spirit. They're after the things of the Spirit. They used to be in Adam, and now they are in Christ. They have been transformed. There's a radical transformation that's occurred in their minds, in their whole way of thinking. What they used to hate, they now love, and what they used to love, they now hate. There's been a change in them by the power of the Spirit. Now, the spiritual mind minds the things of the Spirit. It's like minding the store, you remember that? Being active or busy about the spiritual things. The gravitational center of your existence are the things of the Spirit, just like the sun is the gravitational center of the solar system. This is what you want, the things of the Spirit. What ARE the “things of the Spirit?” Now, what are the things of the Spirit? Well, first, I would say, I've given you this list at the bottom, in 'Applications,' that you are intensely concerned about the soul. You see yourself, not as a body, primarily, but as a soul, a soul that can never die, an eternal soul, a soul that will come before God on Judgment Day. After death, comes judgment, and you see yourself in that light. We must all appear before the Judgment Seat of God, that we may receive the things we did while in the body. You will say, "While my soul was in that home called the body... " A spiritually-minded person thinks about the soul, they think of themselves as a soul. Secondly, they're intensely aware of personal sinfulness. There's a sense of sin before a Holy God. Not dodging it or avoiding it, but saying, "I am a sinner. I need a Savior, and I see it more clearly, the more I go on. I see myself that way, as a sinner." Thirdly, they are totally consumed, therefore, with the person of Jesus Christ. They can't think about Him too much, they can't love Him too much, they can't say thank you enough to Jesus for what He did. There would be no hope, were it not for Jesus. And so they are consumed by the person of Jesus. They see Him to be the most delightful person that ever lived. They are thrilled with the stories of His control over the wind and the waves, ability to walk on water, His miracles. The words He spoke are precious. The fact that He eternally existed as God, the Son, these things are precious to a spiritually-minded person. Fourthly, they are deeply absorbed in the way of salvation. Terms like justification, regeneration, sanctification, glorification, they're theological terms, but the ideas behind them are delightful to a spiritually-minded person. They love the idea that God has declared them not guilty of all their sins. They're delighted with the fact that God is working holiness within them. They're happy to learn about these things. They have a taste for them, they're interested in them, and so they can't wait to hear about the glory that's going to be revealed in us. That's what they live for, the way of salvation. Fifthly, they have a yearning for a growth in prayer. They want to talk to God. They've got a hunger for it. They want to have communication with God. They talk to Him privately, not so everybody can see. There might be time for public prayer, but that's not the point. The point is, through the day, they want to talk to God. They speak to Him and they call Him 'Abba Father.' And sixthly, there's a hunger for true Christian fellowship. When you are like this, you like being with other people who are like this. Isn't that true? You delight in Christian fellowship. And when we're talking about the things of the Spirit, there's a joy that comes. It's like everybody brings a log to the fire, and it just gets bigger and bigger. We have delightful fellowship and you have a taste for it. Seventhly, passionately concerned about evangelism and missions. You want to hear about the advance of the Gospel. How is it going on those frontier missions? You already know that the Lord's not coming back, 'til the work's done. "Well, how's the work going? How can I advance it? Have I shared the Gospel? Am I concerned about these things?" Evangelism and missions. More than anything, number eight, you're concerned about the things in this book. They're not dry, boring things to you. You want to know what's in there. This is the mind of the Spirit. This is what you are interested in. If anybody can explain it or make it clear to you, you are delighted in it. You love the things of the book. Now, it says in verse 6 that the spiritual mind is life and peace. In other words, this is the essence of the life that God gives. Jesus says in John 10 that he, "came that you might have life and have it abundantly." The spiritual mind is the life He came to give, and if you don't have this mind, if you don't have this yearning, this desire, this hunger, you're not a Christian. You have not been converted, because this is the life that He came to give. This is the life He came to give and there's a fruit that flows from it. Now, this is eternal life, that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent. This is the life that He came to give, and if you are justified, you have received that life. Look at Romans 5:18. "Consequently, just as the result of one trespass, was condemnation for all men," remember that word 'condemnation.' "There is, therefore," what? "No condemnation." We're talking about condemnation. The result of Adam's sin was condemnation. Look at, "So also, the result of one act of righteousness, was justification that brings life." Do you understand what I'm saying? If you are justified, you have life, spiritual life. You have this life that I'm describing today. This is what salvation is. It's not just that your sins are written off, and then you can live whatever way you want. It's that He transforms you from within, by the power of the Spirit. You are a spiritually-minded person. This mind of the Spirit is life. And, the mind of the Spirit is peace. You know the Hebrew word is 'shalom,' a sense of deep rich fellowship with the eternal God. Everything is right, things are put in their right place, God is at peace with you, and you are at peace with God. Oh, how precious is that. Romans 5:1, "Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ." Where you were at enmity with God, now you're at peace, and He with you. And there's a status of peace, He's at peace with you, though you may not always feel the peace in your feelings. There is peace with God, and then there is the peace of God. We've talked about this before. Sometimes you feel that peace. You experience it, even in the midst of difficult times. Philippians 4:6-7, "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything, through prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God," and what happens? "The peace of God, which transcends all understanding," will do what? "Guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." The Christian mind, guarded and protected in Christ Jesus. That's what prayer does for you, among other things. The spiritual mind is life and it is peace. And though it's not mentioned in the text, this minded person is very pleasing to God, very pleasing to God. This is what pleases Him, that you be this way, that you have this mind given you as a gift. At His baptism, Jesus Christ stood in the waters. After his baptism, and you remember a voice came down from the Father, saying, "This is my beloved Son, with whom I am," what? "Well pleased." If you have this spiritual mind, you are well pleasing to God, well pleasing to God. And as a result, you live for that, don't you? You yearn to please God. You yearn for it. Every day, you want to search out and find out what is pleasing to God. Second Corinthians 5:9, "So we make it our goal," to what? "Please Him, whether at home in the body or away from it." We want to please God and that includes the law. 1 John 3:22-23, "We obey His commands, and we do what pleases Him, and this is His command: To believe in the name of His Son, Jesus Christ, and to love one another, as He has commanded us." V. Application Now, what is the application that we can take from this? As you look at these verses, do you see any commands in here? Something to obey? Is there something that you should do, as a result of it? Look at it. Or is there only spiritual description of what is true of you, if you're a Christian? Look at it. It's only description. You're not commanded to do anything. You're described or you are not described, do you understand what I'm saying? Either this is true of you, what I've been saying to you today, or it is not. Either you are controlled by the Spirit, you have the mind of the Spirit, or you don't. And if you do not have the mind of the Spirit, you have the carnal mind, and therefore, you're in Adam, under judgment still, and Romans 8:1 does not apply to you. There is condemnation for you. Basically, the application here, is for you to diagnose yourself. And I would suggest you go backwards, start with your lifestyle, go back to your mind, your desires, and then what does it say about your position? As you look at your lifestyle, how do you live? How do you invest your resources? How do you act? What do you do in reference to the commands of God? How are you living? Trace that back to your mindset. How do you look at the world? What are your ambitions, your goals, your desires, your hungers? What do you want? What is of value to you? What do you think about? Look at those things that I've listed there. Are you intensely concerned about your soul? Do you see yourself as a soul? Are you aware of your personal sinfulness? Not dodging it or hiding it, but knowing that you need a Savior? Are you consumed with the person of Jesus Christ, who is that Savior? Are you absorbed in the way of salvation? Are you yearning for growth in prayer? Are you hungry for true Christian fellowship? Are you passionately concerned about evangelism and missions? And are you hungry for the Bible, the Word of God? And if so, what is your position? Diagnose yourself. Lloyd-Jones, this is Martyn Lloyd-Jones, the Welsh preacher, after he got done with the sermon on this text, said, "May I be so bold as to say, how have you thought of this sermon?" Now, he had preached for 40 years before he said that. And I'm not going to do it, I'm going to quote him. I'm going to step aside and let him say it, "Were you interested in these things or was it boring? Was it dry? Was it dusty to you? Another sermon, more text, more doctrine. Or was it engaging, exciting? Did it entice you? Did it make you want to say, 'Do I have the spiritual mind? What has God done in me? Is it true of me, that there's no condemnation? Am I hungry and thirsty for righteousness?'" That's how Lloyd-Jones ended his sermon. I'm not going to end mine that way, but that's how he ended his. Investigate yourself. Diagnose yourself. Think about these things and apply it. If you have not come to Christ, please come today. Come and talk to me. If you're concerned about your soul, if you don't know whether you're a Christian or not, you don't know whether you've given your life to Christ, don't let another day go by. Come and talk to me. Don't let your pride stand in the way. We're going to have a closing hymn in a minute. It'd be a good chance for you to come and talk to me. After the service, you can do the same. Other Sermons in This Series November 19, 2006 A FINAL SUMMARY OF THE BOOK OF ROMANS (ROMANS SERMON 120 OF 120) Romans 1:1-16:27 November 12, 2006 THE CLOSING DOXOLOGY (ROMANS SERMON 119 OF 120) Romans 16:25-27 November 05, 2006 TOTAL VICTORY OVER SATAN: COMING SOON (ROMANS SERMON 118 OF 120) Romans 16:20 October 29, 2006 THE DANGER, NATURE, MOTIVES, AND DEFEAT OF FALSE TEACHERS (ROMANS SERMON 117 OF 120) Romans 16:17-20 October 15, 2006 PAUL'S BELOVED CO-LABORERS (ROMANS SERMON 116 OF 120) Romans 16:1-16 September 17, 2006 THE PLANS AND PRIORITIES OF PAUL THE APOSTLE (ROMANS SERMON 115 OF 120) Romans 15:23-29 September 10, 2006 PAUL'S MISSIONARY STRATEGY AND OURS (ROMANS SERMON 114 OF 120) Romans 15:14-22 September 03, 2006 PAUL'S PASSIONATE FOCUS AND OURS (ROMANS SERMON 113 OF 120) Romans 15:14-22 August 27, 2006 COMPETENT TO COUNSEL (ROMANS SERMON 112 OF 120) Romans 15:14 August 20, 2006 FROM CHURCH RELATIONS THROUGH MISSIONS TO ETERNAL WORSHIP (ROMANS SERMON 111 OF 120) Romans 15:7-13 August 13, 2006 JEW-GENTILE UNITY: ETERNAL GLORY FOR GOD (ROMANS SERMON 110 OF 120) Romans 15:7-13 August 06, 2006 TEACHING, ENDURANCE, ENCOURAGEMENT, HOPE, AND UNITY (ROMANS SERMON 109 OF 120) Romans 15:4-6 July 16, 2006 LIVING BEYOND SELFISH PLEASURES: PLEASING GOD BY PLEASING OTHERS (ROMANS SERMON 108 OF 120) Romans 15:1-3 July 09, 2006 BUILDING EACH OTHER UP (ROMANS SERMON 107 OF 120) Romans 14:19-23 July 02, 2006 THE KINGDOM OF GOD: RIGHTEOUSNESS, PEACE AND JOY (ROMANS SERMON 106 OF 120) Romans 14:17-18 June 25, 2006 DON'T FLAUNT YOUR FREEDOMS, BUT WALK IN LOVE (ROMANS SERMON 105 OF 120) Romans 14:13-15 June 18, 2006 MAINTAINING SWEET FELLOWSHIP OVER DISPUTABLE MATTERS, PART 2 (ROMANS SERMON 104 OF 120) Romans 14:5-12 June 11, 2006 MAINTAINING SWEET FELLOWSHIP OVER DISPUTABLE MATTERS, PART 1 (ROMANS SERMON 103 OF 120) Romans 14:1-4 May 28, 2006 WAKE UP AND DO IT NOW -- THE TIME IS SHORT (ROMANS SERMON 102 OF 120) Romans 13:11-14 May 21, 2006 DISCHARGING ALL DEBTS (ROMANS SERMON 101 OF 120) Romans 13:8-10 May 07, 2006 THE CHRISTIAN AND GOVERNMENT, PART 3 (ROMANS SERMON 100 OF 120) Romans 13:1-7 April 30, 2006 THE CHRISTIAN AND GOVERNMENT, PART 2 (ROMANS SERMON 99 OF 120) Romans 13:1-7 April 09, 2006 THE CHRISTIAN AND GOVERNMENT, PART 1 (ROMANS SERMON 98 OF 120) Romans 13:1-7 April 02, 2006 THE SUPERNATURAL LIFE: DEALING WITH CHALLENGING PEOPLE (ROMANS SERMON 97 OF 120) Romans 12:14-21 March 26, 2006 LIVING THE SUPERNATURAL LIFE, PART 2 (ROMANS SERMON 96 OF 120) Romans 12:9-21 March 19, 2006 LIVING THE SUPERNATURAL LIFE, PART 1 (ROMANS SERMON 95 OF 120) Romans 12:9-16 March 05, 2006 GOD'S PLEASING WILL FOR YOU: SPIRITUAL GIFTS, PART 2 (ROMANS SERMON 94 OF 120) Romans 12:3-8 February 26, 2006 GOD'S PLEASING WILL FOR YOU: SPIRITUAL GIFTS, PART 1 (ROMANS SERMON 93 OF 120) Romans 12:3-8 February 19, 2006 TRANSFORMING THE MIND BY THE WORD OF GOD (ROMANS SERMON 92 OF 120) Romans 12:1-2 February 05, 2006 THE HIGHEST ACT OF WORSHIP (ROMANS SERMON 91 OF 120) Romans 12:1-2 Previous1234Next Two Journeys About Us Two Journeys Ministry houses all of Pastor Andy Davis' content. Two Journeys exists to help Christians make progress in the two journeys of the Christian life, the internal journey of sanctification and the external journey of gospel advancement. We do this by providing free biblical content online for the good of Christ’s Church and for the glory of God. Donate If you find these resources helpful, please prayerfully consider donating as the Lord leads you. A monthly gift of $5 helps us reach 400 additional people a year! DONATE Subscribe to Weekly Email Have all of Andy's new content emailed to you every Thursday! SUBSCRIBE Copyright © 2021 Two Journeys Ekklesia 360

aaron minch

Romans 8 King James Version 8 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. 2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death. 3 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: 4 That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. 5 For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. 6 For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. 7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. 8 So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God. 9 But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his. 10 And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness. 11 But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you. 12 Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh. 13 For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live. 14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. 15 For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. 16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: 17 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together. 18 For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. 19 For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God. 20 For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope, 21 Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. 22 For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now. 23 And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body. 24 For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for? 25 But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it. 26 Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. 27 And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God. 28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. 29 For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. 30 Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified. 31 What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? 32 He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things? 33 Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifieth. 34 Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us. 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? 36 As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. 37 Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. 38 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, 39 Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

aaron minch

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