103) Stone cold dead

Ephesians 2:1-3 And you were dead in the trespasses and sins (2) in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience—(3) among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind.

Are human beings born basically good? Paul answers that question in this passage and the answer is an emphatic no. Human beings are born dead in trespasses and sin with a heart that follows the course of this world. The passions of the flesh and desires of the mind and body control the actions of all mankind. This is not a condition that man can correct with his own will because his nature is enslaved by sin and death. Man is born spiritually dead and apart from action by God, man will remain spiritually dead as surely as people that are physically dead will remain physically dead.

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102) A personal counselor

Ephesians 1:13-14 In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, (14) who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory.

At the moment of faith, believers are sealed with the promised indwelling of the Holy Spirit. This is a guarantee of the inheritance as adopted sons of the living God. The indwelling of God the Holy Spirit produces a changed human being that is a new creation in Christ. Believers are enabled to follow the lead of the Spirit due to the fulfillment of the new covenant promise of a new heart. This is new covenant grace and is the reason that the new covenant is much superior to the old covenant that it replaced.

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101) Divine intervention in salvation

Ephesians 1:11-12 In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will, 12 so that we who were the first to hope in Christ might be to the praise of his glory.

Those who are in Christ have an inheritance because God predestined them to believe and place their hope in Christ. This is due to the will of God and is to the praise of his glory. Apart from God’s intervention, no one would come to Christ in faith. That is why Jesus said, “This is why I told you that no one can come to me unless it is granted him by the Father.” [John 6:65] Paul states that believers who were alive at the time of his writing this epistle were the first to hope in Christ for their spiritual salvation. This points to the very beginning of the Church of Jesus Christ.

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100) In Christ we have redemption through his blood

Ephesians 1:7-10 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, (8) which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight (9) making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ (10) as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth.

Through the blood of Christ forgiveness of sins and redemption is given to those who are in Christ by faith. At the Lord’s Supper Jesus said, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood.” Jesus Christ is the new covenant and the fulfillment of all that was lost in Adam. It is Christ that crushed the head of the serpent. This is the riches of God’s grace that was foretold in the Garden of Eden [Gen. 3:15] long before Abraham or the nation of Israel. The story of spiritual redemption is about Jesus Christ and grace. It is about the fulfillment of the new covenant promise of giving a new heart to sinners on a one on one basis. It is not about spiritually redeeming chosen nations or even physical covenant families. Spiritual salvation depends on God’s will and purpose, which he lavished on those He redeemed in all wisdom and insight. It was His plan set forth in Christ and is being perfectly executed to unite all things in him. While man is allowed to sin against God’s will, man cannot thwart God’s sovereign purpose for spiritual salvation as outlined by Paul here in Ephesians 1. Those in Christ are eternally secure.

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99) Praise his glorious grace

Ephesians 1:4B-6 In love (5) he predestined us for adoption as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, (6) to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved.

God predestined his adopted sons in love because of his sovereign will. This is accomplished through the ministry of Jesus Christ to the praise of his glorious grace. Those who are blessed with this grace are blessed beyond measure. They are in Christ through faith because of God’s sovereign will and not by human effort or desire. Spiritual salvation is not about a chosen race or being included in a covenant because one’s parents are believers. Salvation is about the glory and grace of Jesus Christ and His New Covenant redemption of his adopted brothers.

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98) Chosen by God to be in Christ

Ephesians 1:3-4A Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, (4) even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him.

Believers are blessed with spiritual blessings in heavenly places. Before the foundation of the world God chose a people to be holy and blameless before him through being in Christ by faith. Even the best of Saints are not holy or blameless apart from being found in Christ. Salvation is all about Christ successfully regaining for his bride [the elect] what Adam lost in the Garden of Eden. This was all accomplished before the earth was even formed. God from eternity past had one and only one plan of salvation for one and only one people of God. Salvation has been fulfilled in the New Covenant through the blood of Jesus Christ.

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97) Grace defined

Romans 8:14 For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God.

Paul, in this short verse, closes the door on the false teaching that a people can be saved and yet not experience Spirit led change in their lives. If the Spirit is leading a person, this means he is following that lead. If a person is not following the Spirit, then he is not being led. Such a person is not saved even if he claims to have faith [James 2:14-25] or he is pursuing righteousness through the self-effort of legalistic law keeping [Romans 7:13-25]. Saved people are new creations in Christ through the new covenant gift of a new heart. This new heart empowers and motivates a person to follow the lead of the Holy Spirit and this happens to varying degrees in regenerated believers. Adopted sons of God are followers of Christ because they are led by the Spirit, and this verse does not offer any other possibility. This is grace.

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96) There is a distinction between the flesh and the Spirit

Romans 8:13 For if you live according to the flesh you will die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live.

Paul makes it clear that those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on the flesh, and to set the mind on the flesh is death. In addition, they are hostile to God, do not submit to God’s law, and indeed cannot please God. Here, in verse 13, this principle is repeated yet again. Paul has made it very clear that if you live according to the flesh you are not in Christ and you are under the condemnation of God. There is no wiggle room to claim Christ but live according to the flesh. However, if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. A redeemed person is enabled and encouraged by the Holy Spirit to respond to this divine grace and willingly participates in his own sanctification. This does not mean anything close to perfection, but it does mean a direction toward being conformed to Christ.

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95) Those in Christ reject the ways of the world

Romans 8:12 So then, brothers, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh.

Those that believe you should go for the gusto because you only go around once are debtors to the flesh. Unbelievers, by nature, present themselves as slaves to sin and live according to this nature. They are in the flesh, and their desires are on the things of the flesh. Paul, in this verse, is stating that believers who are in Christ are different. Believers are new creations in Christ and no longer slaves to the worldly desires of the flesh. They reject the fleshly ways of the world, and the world hates them for it.

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94) The Spirit is Life Eternal

Romans 8:10-11 But if Christ is in you, although the body is dead because of sin, the Spirit is life because of righteousness. (11) If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you.

All human beings are dead men walking due to sin. Although physically alive, all human beings are born spiritually dead because of sin and will also die a physical death because of sin. However, IF the Spirit of God dwells in a person, that person has been given spiritual life. He is a new creation in Christ and although his physical body will suffer death, he has been raised to new life now and will be raised to life at the last day just as Jesus was raised to life. The New Covenant through the blood of Christ gives believers grace, the indwelling Spirit, and life.

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93) All believers have the Spirit

Romans 8:9 You, however, are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if in fact the Spirit of God dwells in you. Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him.

In this verse the distinction is between the flesh and the Spirit. Those in the Spirit have the Spirit of God dwelling in them and are redeemed saved children of God. Those in the flesh are not redeemed, not saved, and not children of God. Those in the flesh were just described in verses 7 and 8. In these verses Paul gives the characteristics of believers in contrast with the characteristics of non-believers.

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92) Hostility toward God

Romans 8:7-8 For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God's law; indeed, it cannot. (8) Those who are in the flesh cannot please God.

The unbeliever’s mind is set on the flesh and is hostile to God and the things of the Spirit. The unregenerate mind does not submit to God’s law and does not have the ability to do so. Flesh, sin, and the Law produce only physical and spiritual death. In Romans 7:13-25 Paul explained how the Old Covenant Law is a ministry of death. It was never intended to be a means of pleasing God and Paul once again drives that point home in this passage.

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91) Christians are under the Law of Christ, not the Law of Moses

1 Corinthians 9:20-21 To the Jews I became as a Jew, in order to win Jews. To those under the law I became as one under the law (though not being myself under the law) that I might win those under the law. (21) To those outside the law I became as one outside the law (not being outside the law of God but under the law of Christ) that I might win those outside the law.

Paul states clearly that he is not under old covenant Law but is under the law of Christ. He does not distinguish between three different categories of the law, and he does not do that anywhere in his epistles. In fact, the Bible as a whole makes no such distinctions. Jesus said, “if you love me, you will obey my commands.” That means the law of Christ, and it is found in the New Testament.

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90) Abraham’s true heirs

Galatians 3:27-29 For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. (28) There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. (29) And if you are Christ's, then you are Abraham's offspring, heirs according to promise.

There is only one category of spiritual people. It does not matter whether one is Jew or Greek, male or female, slave or free. Being Jewish or the children of believers has nothing to do with spiritual redemption. The only thing that matters is being in Christ Jesus by faith. If a person is in Christ by faith, then he is Abraham’s offspring and heirs according to the promise. It does not depend on human will, exertion, or baptizing infants. It depends only on God’s grace and mercy and Paul makes this very clear in Romans 9. Unless a person is in Christ Jesus through faith he is not in any kind of spiritual covenant relationship with God.

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89) The Mosaic Law had an expiration date

Galatians 3:24-26 So then, the law was our guardian until Christ came, in order that we might be justified by faith. (25) But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian, (26) for in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith.

The law was a guardian. In verse 24 Paul gives the expiration date for this guardian and that is when Christ came. With the incarnation of Christ, the guardian was replaced with faith. Since the guardian and the law are the same thing, this means the law was replaced by faith in Christ. The Ten Commandments as a unit is a part of the law and was the covenant contract for the Mosaic covenant. Christ Jesus perfectly met the conditional legal requirements of this covenant contract for all that are in Christ through faith. Therefore, the entire law has become obsolete by faith in Christ and not just arbitrary unbiblical categories of the law. However, the precepts of nine of the Ten Commandments are still valid, since they have been repeated, and Jesus has strengthened two of them in the New Testament. Believers are free from the Ten Commandments as a covenant contract, but are not free from the precepts as restated in the New Testament.

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88) Jesus sets prisoners free from the captivity of the law

Galatians 3:23 Now before faith came, we were held captive under the law, imprisoned until the coming faith would be revealed.

Israel was held captive under the law until the coming of faith. Therefore, once faith was revealed in Jesus Christ and the new covenant, Jews were no longer under the law. They were once imprisoned and held captive by the law, but they were set free when faith was revealed. Paul states the same thing in Romans 7:6 But now we are released from the law, having died to that which held us captive, so that we serve in the new way of the Spirit and not in the old way of the written code. Being released from the law precludes running back to law with a new motive of sanctification. It makes no sense to be set free from captivity only to return to the source of the captivity and submit once again to the yoke of slavery.

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87) Don’t be foolish

Galatians 3:3 Are you so foolish? Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh?

If the wretched man passage of Romans 7:7-25 is a description of Paul after his conversion, then he would be attempting to do the very thing he calls foolish in this passage. He would be trying to be perfected by the flesh through obeying the law. But here in Galatians 3:3 he makes it clear that believers begin by the Spirit and are sanctified by the leading of the Spirit. Believers do not begin by the Spirit and run to the law for sanctification. That is why Paul states in 2 Cor. 3:7-8 that the ministry of death carved on stone has been replaced by the ministry of the Spirit.

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86) Answer is in Christ and not I myself

Romans 7:25 Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, I myself serve the law of God with my mind, but with my flesh I serve the law of sin.

Paul gives the answer to his question of verse 24 and it is that God through Jesus Christ saves sinners from their body of death. This is grace and the true way to salvation rather than attempting to achieve salvation through the law. Paul states that he himself [before grace] served the law with his mind but with his flesh he served the law of sin. He was captive to sin and unable to obey the law of God. To believe that post-conversion Paul has been talking about his struggle with indwelling sin in verses 7-25 you have got to believe he has contradicted what he said in verse 6 when he said, “we serve in the new way of the Spirit and not in the old way of the written code.” How could he state that we serve in the new way of the spirit and not in the old way of the written code in verse 6 and then state he [after his conversion] still served the law of God with his mind in verse 25? He couldn’t, wouldn’t, and didn’t because verse 25 is referring to pre-conversion Paul. Post-conversion Paul clearly ruled out serving God through the law in verse 6 and his entire Epistle to the Galatians. In the next verse, Rom. 8:1, Paul begins to lay out the results of being in Jesus Christ through faith and goes on to describe the new way of serving in the Spirit.

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85) Jesus saves wretched men

Romans 7:24 Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death?

Paul has been describing his pre-conversion state of being under law since verse 7 and he now asks the question, who will deliver me from this body of death? If he had been talking about his own indwelling sin after conversion, why would he ask who would deliver him from this body of death? He had already stated a deliverance from that which held him captive in verse 6 and indeed in all of chapter 6. Here he speaks of needing of a future deliverance when asks, “who will deliver me?” Are we to believe that Paul, as the mature Christian writing the epistle to the Romans, is still captive to sin and needing deliverance from the law of sin and death? Are we to believe that Paul’s statement in Romans 8:2 [For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death.] has not yet happened to him? I don’t think so. No, Paul is talking about being delivered from an unsaved wretched man state to a saved state of being in Christ Jesus.

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84) Unbelievers are captive to the law of sin

Romans 7:21-23 So I find it to be a law that when I want to do right, evil lies close at hand. (22) For I delight in the law of God, in my inner being, (23) but I see in my members another law waging war against the law of my mind and making me captive to the law of sin that dwells in my members.

Paul is still talking to his brothers [fellow Jews] and states that evil lies close at hand when he wants to do right and obey the law of God. This evil makes him captive to the law of sin that dwells in his members. Back in verse 6 he had told his brothers, “But now we are released from the law, having died to that which held us captive, so that we serve in the new way of the Spirit and not in the old way of the written code.” Why would Paul be talking about law keeping in his post conversion state when he had just said that believers are released from the law that held them captive and serve in the new way of the Spirit? He wouldn’t! Therefore, starting in verse 7, Paul has been explaining the futility of serving in the old way of the written code. He has been explaining the time before his conversion when he was trying to establish his own righteousness through keeping the law.

To believe that Paul in this passage is talking about indwelling sin in himself as a believer, you have to believe that he was released from the law and died to that which held him captive at conversion, but then matured to a point where he again served in the old way of the written code and again became captive to the law of sin. No, Paul is contrasting the law, sin, flesh, and death with grace, Spirit, and life. In chapter 8 of Romans he develops this theme more thoroughly.

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83) Unbelievers serve the sinful nature

Romans 7:19-20 For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I keep on doing. (20) Now if I do what I do not want, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me.

Here in verses 19 and 20 Paul continues to repeat the same theme of being a slave to sin and the flesh. How can people who continually sin by doing evil have already been saved by grace? They can’t because once they are saved by grace they have been set free from sin and are able to bear fruit for God! Can a person saved by grace not have the ability to do the good they want? No! Once a person is saved they can do the good they want although not perfectly [Romans 7:4]. Therefore, Paul is not talking about someone saved by grace. He is talking about himself when he was unsaved and trying unsuccessfully to keep the law.

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82) The desire but not the ability

Romans 7:18 For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh. For I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out.

Paul concludes that he has the desire to do what is right but not the ability to carry it out. He describes this condition as being in the flesh and he is talking about someone who is a slave to sin. This is not the condition of someone under grace that he described in Romans 6:22 “But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the fruit you get leads to sanctification and its end, eternal life.” Therefore, he is still talking about a time before he had been set free from the power of sin and was trying to be a law keeper. Paul is driving home the point that attempting to be a law keeper is impossible because of the sinful nature.

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81) The sinful nature controls unbelievers

Romans 7:16-17 Now if I do what I do not want, I agree with the law, that it is good. (17) So now it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me.

Paul is talking about keeping the law in verses 14-17. Since Paul made it clear in Romans 6 through Romans 7:1-6 that believers have been set free from the law and serve in the new way of grace through the Spirit, he is obviously continuing his description in these verses of himself before his conversion. Although he agreed that the law is good, Paul was not able to keep the law because of his sinful nature that made him a slave to sin. Being a slave to sin is a condition of all human beings before they are born again through grace and the Spirit [Rom. 6:17-23].

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80) Sold under sin

Romans 7:14-15 For we know that the law is spiritual, but I am of the flesh, sold under sin. (15) For I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate.

Since Paul in verses 4 & 6 has stated that believers have died to the law and have been released from the law that held them captive, he is obviously still alluding to a time before conversion and before serving in the new way of the Spirit in this passage. He states that he was of the flesh with a heart of flesh and a sinful nature that had total control of his actions. Though being a zealous law keeping Jew, he did not understand his actions and could not obey the law of God. Just like the bad tree that couldn’t produce good fruit, Paul’s heart of flesh couldn’t produce obedience to the law. He was still trying to serve in the old way of the written code and had not yet been set free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death [Rom. 8:2].

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79) The law is Holy and good but cannot save

Romans 7:12-13 So the law is holy, and the commandment is holy and righteous and good. (13) Did that which is good, then, bring death to me? By no means! It was sin, producing death in me through what is good, in order that sin might be shown to be sin, and through the commandment might become sinful beyond measure.

The law is holy and righteous and good. The law did not bring death to those under the Mosaic covenant. It was the sinful nature, producing sin through what is good, that was the killer. The law showed sin to be sin and, through the sin of coveting, revealed the sins of the heart to be sinful beyond measure. External law keeping through the power of the fallen sinful human will cannot subdue the sins of the human heart. Jesus said a bad tree couldn’t bear good fruit. The heart is the problem and the law is not the solution for the fallen sinful nature of man. That is why Paul stated in verse 6 that believers are released from the law that held them captive so they can serve in the new way of the Spirit.

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78) Sin is a killer of souls

Romans 7:10-11 The very commandment that promised life proved to be death to me. (11) For sin, seizing an opportunity through the commandment, deceived me and through it killed me.

Paul is still speaking of the time before being released from the law [verse 6]. He was a law keeping Jew and is referring to the tenth commandment that prohibited coveting. After his conversion Paul understood that coveting was a thought sin that required no actual physical sin on his part. Since thought sins originate in the heart and the hearts of men are wicked, the tenth commandment leaves human beings no chance at the perfect obedience required to merit eternal life that many erroneously thought was possible. Therefore, the tenth commandment proved to be death to Paul. Paul is making it very clear that man has no chance through self-effort to achieve the righteousness required to stand before God. The law was intended to show the unrighteousness of men and drive them to the redemption that is in Christ by grace.

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77) Sin is the problem

Romans 7:8-9 But sin, seizing an opportunity through the commandment, produced in me all kinds of covetousness. For apart from the law, sin lies dead. (9) I was once alive apart from the law, but when the commandment came, sin came alive and I died.

Paul in verses 8 & 9 is still referring to the time before being released from the Law [verses 4 & 6]. The Law held sinners captive when Paul and his Jewish brothers served in the old way of the written code. Sin produced all kinds of covetousness and through human effort Paul was powerless to meet the demand of the commandment that condemned the desires of the human heart. The law had no power to save and in fact killed and that is why Paul referred to it as a ministry of death. The problem is sin and the sinful nature and the law only highlighted this problem.

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76) The Law exposes sin

Romans 7:7 What then shall we say? That the law is sin? By no means! Yet if it had not been for the law, I would not have known sin. For I would not have known what it is to covet if the law had not said, “You shall not covet.”

In this verse Paul goes back in time and refers to how the law informed him of sin. The law is not sin, but had it not been for the law Paul would not have known sin. He gives the tenth commandment as an example. He states if the law had not said, “You shall not covet” he would not have even recognized what it meant to covet. Coveting is a sin of thought and not action. It is a matter of the heart that flows from a person’s nature and it cannot be avoided by external law keeping. A person may not act on a desire to covet, but that is too late as the sin was committed the instant the desire became thought.

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75) Look to the NEW WAY and not the OLD WAY

Romans 7:6 But now we are released from the law, having died to that which held us captive, so that we serve in the new way of the Spirit and not in the old way of the written code.

Paul continues with the condition of Jewish believers in this verse. He restates what he said in verse 4 and that is Jewish believers have died to the law. In doing so they were released from the law, which had held them captive to sin and death. This obviously means the entire law as Paul defines the ministry of death in 2 Corinthians 3:7 as being the Ten Commandments. Now that Jesus Christ has come, believers in God are to serve in the new way of the Spirit and not in the old way of the written code. The message is to look to the NEW WAY of Jesus and the Spirit rather than the OLD WAY of the written code on tablets of stone.

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74) Before belonging to Christ

Romans 7:5 For while we were living in the flesh, our sinful passions, aroused by the law, were at work in our members to bear fruit for death.

Here in verse 5 Paul reminds his brothers of their prior condition of living in the flesh before they had faith in Christ. Before dying to the law, the sinful passions of Paul and his Jewish brothers were aroused by the law. Since the law was powerless to subdue the passions of the sinful nature, these sinful passions bore fruit for death. The fruit was sin and the wages of sin is death. Paul was explaining to his fellow Jews that the Law was a ministry of death that could not save anyone, and in fact condemned them to death. Verse 5 is the condition of a Jew under Law before his condition in verse 4 of being in Christ.

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73) Believers belong to Christ

Romans 7:4 Likewise, my brothers, you also have died to the law through the body of Christ, so that you may belong to another, to him who has been raised from the dead, in order that we may bear fruit for God.

Through the death of Christ, Jewish believers, who once were under the law, died to the law. They were once obligated to the demands of the law, but now they belong to another who has been raised from the dead. Through faith in Jesus Christ, those under law have suffered the curse of the law and paid their debt through the body of Christ on the cross. The blessings promised by the law have been secured by Jesus Christ’s perfect obedience to the law for not only Jews but also for Gentiles who believe. Having been raised from the dead in Christ, believers are empowered by the Holy Spirit to bear fruit for God.

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72) Jesus paid the bill for the free gift

Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

All men are sinners at birth through their connection and representation with Adam, and this earns physical and spiritual death as all men become actual sinners. Due to God’s perfect justice, the wages of sin must be paid. However, God offers as a free gift eternal life in Jesus Christ our Lord. By being in Christ Jesus by faith, the wages of a person’s sin were placed on Jesus Christ. He received God’s justice on the cross of Calvary, and He provides the righteousness needed to stand before God for all who are in Christ Jesus by this faith. Believers should look to Christ for both salvation and sanctification.

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71) Believers have been set free from sin by grace

Romans 6:22 But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the fruit you get leads to sanctification and its end, eternal life.

Grace not only saves sinners from the penalty of sin, it saves them from the power of sin. Believers are given a new nature that leads to a new focus and sanctification through the fruit of the Spirit. Instead of being slaves to sin and death, believers are slaves of God, and the end result is eternal life. While believers still struggle with sin, they are no longer captive to its power thanks to God’s grace. The Law has no power to defeat the slavery of sin and that is why Paul makes it clear that sanctification comes from the fruit of the Holy Spirit through grace and not from the Law carved on tablets of stone.

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70) Grace defeats the law of sin and death

Romans 6:14 For sin will have no dominion over you, since you are not under law but under grace.

Grace came by Jesus Christ and it came with power. When Jesus came into the world full of grace and truth, more was provided than just satisfying the legal requirements for salvation. In addition to his atonement for sin, Jesus also provided believers with the indwelling Holy Spirit. Under the law sin had dominion and sinners were slaves to sin, but under grace the power of the Holy Spirit sets sinners free from the slavery of sin [Romans 8:2]. Not perfectly of course, but sin will no longer control the rudder and direction of all who are in Christ Jesus by faith. Grace earns the victory over the law through faith [1 John 5:4].

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69) Grace replaced law

John 1:17 For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.

In the giving of the law, Moses gave the ministry of death [2 Cor. 3:7] to national Israel. The purpose of this ministry of death was to convict the Jews of sin and point them to a Messiah for mercy and redemption. Jesus Christ was this Messiah and He came into the world in human flesh full of grace and truth. The person and work of Jesus Christ fulfilled the promise of the Old Testament and paid the price for this amazing grace. Jesus rendered the Mosaic Covenant obsolete [Hebrews 8:13] by perfectly fulfilling it and suffering its curse for the redeemed [Galatians 3:13]. All who are in Jesus by faith have received Grace upon grace, and His truth abides forever.

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68) Don’t suppress the truth about humanity

Romans 1:18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth.

Many in churches today proclaim that man is basically good and announce to the world that God loves them unconditionally. They are suppressing the very truth that Paul reveals in this passage. While God is love and his grace and mercy abound in many ways to the human race, His anger and wrath against human unrighteousness and sin is revealed clearly by Holy Scripture. John the Baptist did not announce the coming of the Kingdom of God by telling people to continue on unchanged because God loves them unconditionally. No, he told them to repent for the forgiveness of sins. Through repentance and faith in Jesus Christ sinners can experience the redeeming love and mercy of God.

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67) Christians are reconciled to God by God

2 Corinthians 5:18-19 All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; (19) that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation.

In the ministry of reconciliation God makes new creations that are in Christ by faith alone. It is all from God as Jesus provided the righteousness and paid the sin debt for sinners to be reconciled to Him. Redeemed sinners are not left unchanged as Jesus sent His Holy Spirit to indwell and lead them into ways of righteousness. While Christians are not made perfect and have setbacks along the way, they are compelled by the leading of the Spirit to be reconciled to God. This message of reconciliation was fully revealed to Paul and Paul has given it to us in Holy Scripture. The mystery of this revelation was not fully revealed until Jesus ascended to heaven. Then, beginning at Pentecost, the apostles carried the message of forgiveness of sins and reconciliation with God to the world as they started and built the church of Jesus Christ.

Focus on Christ #67

66) Christians are reborn by the power of God

2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.

To be in Christ is to be redeemed by the blood of Christ. Such a person is a new creation due to the power of God and not anything done by his own effort. Having been made spiritually alive by God, the old has passed away and the new has come [Ephesians 2:5]. Those who are in Christ have new hearts, attitudes, and desires than their former self. This verse points to the reality of the coming of the counselor [Holy Spirit] that Jesus foretold. It is an occurrence that began at Pentecost with the birth of the church of Jesus Christ [Eph. 2:11-22].

Focus on Christ #66

Focus on Christ devotional INDEX

DEVOTIONAL INDEX

WHERE FOUND:
August 2009 - devotional numbers 1-27
September 2009 - devotional numbers 28-54
October 2009- devotional numbers 55-72
November 2009- devotional numbers 73-89
December 2009- devotional numbers 90-103
January 2010- devotional numbers 104- 111
February 2010- devotional numbers 112- 118
March 2010 - devotional numbers 119- 127
April 2010 - devotional numbers 128 - 133

BY SCRIPTURE REFERENCE:
EXODUS
#31- Exodus 19:5-6

MATTHEW
#19- Matt 5:17
#26- Matt 16:18
#53- Matt 17:5
#54- Matt 17:8
#32- Matt 27:50-51
#60- Matt 28:18-20
#61- Matt 28:18-20
#62- Matt 28:18-20
#63- Matt 28:18-20

LUKE
#29- Luke 24:27
#30- Luke 24:44

JOHN
#69- John 1:17
#64- John 13:34-35
#116- John 15:1
#117- John 15:2
#118- John 15:3
#119- John 15:4
#120- John 15:5
#121- John 15:6
#65- John 15:10

ACTS
#55- Acts 1:1-2
#56- Acts 9:15
#27- Acts 14:27
#2- Acts 15:10-11
#28- Acts 17:11

ROMANS
#68- Rom 1:18
#8- Rom 3:31
#122- Rom 6:1-2
#123- Rom 6:3-4
#124- Rom 6:5-6
#125- Rom 6:7
#126- Rom 6:8
#127- Rom 6:9-10
#128- Rom 6:11
#129- Rom 6:12-13
#70- Rom 6:14
#130- Rom 6:15
#131- Rom 6:16
#132- Rom 6:17-18
#133- Rom 6:19
#134- Rom 6:20
#135- Rom 6:21
#71- Rom 6:22
#72- Rom 6:23
#73- Rom 7:4
#74- Rom 7:5
#75- Rom 7:6
#76- Rom 7:7
#77- Rom 7:8-9
#78- Rom 7:10-11
#79- Rom 7:12-13
#80- Rom 7:14-15
#81- Rom 7:16-17
#82- Rom 7:18
#83- Rom 7:19-20
#84- Rom 7:21-23
#85- Rom 7:24
#86- Rom 7:25
#13- Rom 8:1
#14- Rom 8:2
#15- Rom 8:3
#16- Rom 8:4
#17- Rom 8:5
#18- Rom 8:6
#92- Rom 8:7-8
#93- Rom 8:9
#94- Rom 8:10-11
#95- Rom 8:12
#96- Rom 8:13
#97- Rom 8:14
#10- Rom 9:8

1 CORINTHIANS
# 6- 1 Cor 11:25
#91- 1 Cor 9-20-21

2 CORINTHIANS
#9- 2 Cor 3:7-8
#11- 2 Cor 3:11
#66- 2 Cor 5:17
#67- 2 Cor 5:18-19

GALATIANS
#57- Gal 1:11-12
#58- Gal 1:13-14
#59- Gal 1:15-16
#87- Gal 3:3
#88- Gal 3:23
#89- Gal 3:24-26
#90- Gal 3:27-29
#3- Gal 5:1
#12- Gal 5:18

EPHESIANS
#98- Eph 1:3-4A
#99- Eph 1:4B-6
#100- Eph 1:7-10
#101- Eph 1:11-12
#102- Eph 1:13-14
#103- Eph 2:1-3
#104- Eph 2:4-5
#105- Eph 2:6-7
#106- Eph 2:8-9
#35- Eph 2:11-12
#36- Eph 2:13
#37- Eph 2:14
#38- Eph 2:15
#39- Eph 2:16
#40- Eph 2:17
#41- Eph 2:18
#42- Eph 2:19
#43- Eph 2:20
#44- Eph 2:21
#45- Eph 2:22
#46- Eph 3:1-3
#47- Eph 3:4-5
#48- Eph 3:6
#49- Eph 3:7
#50- Eph 3:8-10
#51- Eph 3:11-12

HEBREWS
#52- Heb 1:1-2
#4- Heb 8:6
#5- Heb 8:7
#20- Heb 8:8
#21- Heb 8:9
#22- Heb 8:10
#23- Heb 8:11
#24- Heb 8:12
#25- Heb 8:13
#1- Heb 9:15
#34- Heb 11:10

1 PETER
#33- 1 Peter 2:9-10

2 PETER
#107- 2 Peter 1:2
#108- 2 Peter 1:3
#109- 2 Peter 1:4
#110- 2 Peter 1:5-7
#111- 2 Peter 1:8
#112- 2 Peter 1:9
#113- 2 Peter 1:10
#114- 2 Peter 1:11
#115- 2 Peter 1:12

1 JOHN
#7- 1 John 5:4

65) In Christ believers satisfy the law’s demands

John 15:10 If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father's commandments and abide in his love.

In this passage Jesus makes a clear distinction between His commandments and His Father’s commandments. Since Jesus was born under law to Jewish parents, His Father’s commandments would include the Ten Commandments. The nation of Israel was required legally by covenant to fulfill the law and Ten Commandments to receive God’s blessings. None even came close to obeying and fulfilling their covenant obligation to God’s law, but a small remnant turned to God in repentance for mercy and was saved by faith in a promised redeemer. By fulfilling these commandments as our surety, Jesus became the redeemer that saves all who are in Christ by faith. By His life of perfection and death as atonement for sin, Jesus secured the promised blessings of the Old Covenant for those who believe.

Therefore, Jesus does not send believers back to the Old Covenant that He fulfilled on their behalf. That would be to send believers back to the ministry of death that condemned them in the first place [Romans 8:2, Acts 15:10, Galatians]. Instead, He commands believers to keep His commandments that are found in the New Testament. Being under grace instead of law means obedience has changed from a yoke to heavy to bear [Acts 15:10] to a yoke that gives rest for the soul [Matt. 11:29-30]. Grace transforms believers into new creations in Christ with the motivation to keep the commandments of Christ [see Hebrews 8]. While believers fail to perfectly keep the commandments of Jesus Christ, grace and forgiveness cover their sins, since they are not placing themselves under the covenant contract of the Law. Galatians 3:10 points this out: For all who rely on works of the law are under a curse; for it is written, “Cursed be everyone who does not abide by all things written in the Book of the Law, and do them.” Galatians 3:23-26 points out that the Law was a guardian until Christ and faith came. Christ and faith have come and we are no longer under the Law as a guardian. We are not under the Law for justification and we are also not under Law for sanctification. Paul stated it as follows in Romans 6:14: For sin will have no dominion over you, since you are not under law but under grace. Our focus should be on Christ. His burden is light and He provides rest for our souls. ALL [100%] that we need is found in Him and His New Covenant teaching.

Focus on Christ #65

64) Love one another

John 13:34-35 A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. (35) By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”

In this verse Jesus added a commandment to the moral precepts of Ten Commandments that are restated in the New Testament. Some of these [ten] commandments were restated without change and Jesus strengthened some. While most of the Ten Commandments prohibited bad behavior and began with Thou shall not, this new commandment encouraged the positive attribute of love. In the New Covenant believers are empowered by the Holy Spirit, which enables them to have an internal heartfelt desire to obey Christ and follow his commandments. Instead of the external law keeping of the Old Covenant, believers in the New Covenant are led by the Spirit in becoming more and more conformed to the image of Christ through obedience to His law. [Hebrews 8:10-11, 2 Cor. 5:17, Romans 8:29]

Focus on Christ #64

63) Go, make disciples, baptize, and teach (part 4)

Matthew 28:18-20 And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. (19) Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, (20) teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

Jesus makes it clear that disciples are to be baptized. In this passage Jesus does not present baptism as a requirement to be saved. He commands that disciples be baptized after they become believers. Jesus is commanding that believers only be baptized which would preclude infants. Neither Jesus in this passage nor any other passage in the New Testament directs the church to baptize infants. It violates New Covenant teaching to place works or baptism before faith [Ephesians 2:8-9].

Focus on Christ #63

62) Go, make disciples, baptize, and teach (part 3)

Matthew 28:18-20 And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. (19) Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, (20) teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

Go therefore and make disciples of all nations. The New Testament Scriptures are clear that there is no distinction between disciples and believers. There are NOT disciples who follow Jesus and carnal Christians who accept the free gift of eternal life but refuse to follow Jesus. This heretical teaching fails to acknowledge the power of God the Holy Spirit in salvation. This POWER from God is given to all who are saved by faith alone. [John 3:3, 2 Cor. 5:17, Rom. 8:14] When Jesus said go make disciples, he was talking about one and only one classification of Christians. Christians are believers who have been regenerated and indwelt by the Holy Spirit. Although they are still sinners and not perfect, they are disciples that follow Christ and have a heartfelt desire to be obedient to his teachings. This discipleship flows from the power of God.

Focus on Christ #62

61) Go, make disciples, baptize, and teach (part 2)

Matthew 28:18-20 And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. (19) Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, (20) teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

Where do we find the information to make disciples? While much can and should be learned from the Old Testament about God’s promises, history, and unfolding plan of redemption; ALL the information and precepts needed for justification and Christian sanctification is revealed in the New Testament. The New Testament quotes the Old Testament extensively in presenting Christ as the fulfillment and focus of redemptive history. In this fulfillment, Jesus removed the yoke of the Old Covenant Law by fulfilling all of its legal requirements. Therefore, the New Testament is where unbelievers go for the gospel message, and disciples go to learn all that is needed to be faithful disciples. Jesus said, Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. [Matt. 11:28]

Focus on Christ #61

60) Go, make disciples, baptize, and teach (part 1)

Matthew 28:18-20 And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. (19) Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, (20) teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

Devotionals #52 through #59 highlight Scripture passages that direct the apostles and believers to listen to Jesus and His commands. What are these commands that Jesus gave the apostles and believers [WDJC]? The great commission sums this up directly and clearly. Believers are to make disciples of all nations and baptize them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. We are to teach them to observe ALL that Jesus commanded. ALL that Jesus commanded is found in the New Testament and as the eight preceding devotionals point out, the apostles and writers of the New Testament received it directly from Jesus and recorded it in Scripture for us. Therefore, believers should listen to Jesus by thoroughly learning the New Testament. That is where his teaching and commands can be found.

Focus on Christ #60

59) Paul was predestined and called by God

Galatians 1:15-16 But when he who had set me apart before I was born, and who called me by his grace, (16) was pleased to reveal his Son to me, in order that I might preach him among the Gentiles, I did not immediately consult with anyone;

Paul states emphatically that his call by God was predestined before he was even born. While some may debate God’s predestination and sovereign effectual call as universal principle, there is no doubt that Paul was predestined, called, and saved by grace alone. It is also clear that Paul received his revelation and instructions unfiltered, directly from God, for the purpose of preaching among the Gentiles. It is important to note that Paul’s gospel DOES NOT conflict with the gospel principles of the other apostles. When any gospel message is in direct contradiction with the New Testament, such as the book of Mormon, you can be sure it is a false gospel.

Focus on Christ #59

58) Before God called him, Paul was extremely zealous but wrong

Galatians 1:13-14 For you have heard of my former life in Judaism, how I persecuted the church of God violently and tried to destroy it. (14) And I was advancing in Judaism beyond many of my own age among my people, so extremely zealous was I for the traditions of my fathers.

Paul’s zeal for the traditions of his Jewish fathers was so strong that he persecuted the church of God and tried to destroy it completely. Paul and the nation of Israel were under the yoke of the law and all but a small remnant pursued righteousness through this law. Most failed to turn to God for mercy, as did the small remnant, and their hearts were hardened. Therefore, while Paul was extremely knowledgeable in Old Testament Scripture, he was blind to his need for mercy and redemption from God.

Focus on Christ #58

57) Jesus spoke and Paul listened

Galatians 1:11-12 For I would have you know, brothers, that the gospel that was preached by me is not man's gospel. (12) For I did not receive it from any man, nor was I taught it, but I received it through a revelation of Jesus Christ.

Although Paul was extremely advanced in Judaism, he was unaware of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Paul, as most Jews of the Old Testament era, had a veil over his heart when he read the old covenant. The nation of Israel was under law. While God preserved a small remnant through grace, most Jews pursued righteousness based on works. They stumbled over the stumbling stone [Romans 9:32]. But now grace had come to Paul on the Road to Damascus and He received the gospel directly from Jesus through revelation.

Focus on Christ #57

56) Jesus chose and commanded Paul to preach the gospel

Acts 9:15 But the Lord said to him, “Go, for he is a chosen instrument of mine to carry my name before the Gentiles and kings and the children of Israel.

Jesus told Ananias in a vision to go to Saul of Tarsus and lay his hands on him so he could regain his vision after his experience on the Road to Damascus. His mission as described in the verse above was to carry the name of Jesus before Gentiles, kings and the children of Israel. Paul listened to Christ and spent his entire ministry preaching Christ crucified. Just as Jesus had commanded His chosen apostles right before his ascension, He chose and commanded Paul to also build His Church through the preaching of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Focus on Christ #56

55) The apostles listened to Jesus

Acts 1:1-2 In the first book, O Theophilus, I have dealt with all that Jesus began to do and teach, (2) until the day when he was taken up, after he had given commands through the Holy Spirit to the apostles whom he had chosen.

On the Mount of Transfiguration the message for the three apostles was to listen to Jesus Christ and in the first sentence of Acts we are told they listened as Jesus gave commands through the Holy Spirit to his chosen apostles right up to the day of His ascension. Jesus was going to build his Church through his apostles and it was important for them to listen just as God had instructed. They were His agents for starting and nurturing this completely new entity, The Church of Jesus Christ. This was more than a new administration of an existing covenant. This was a new covenant fulfilling and replacing the old covenant [see devotionals #20 through #25 on Hebrews 8:8-13].

Focus on Christ #55

54) Keep your eyes upon Jesus

Matthew 17:8 And when they lifted up their eyes, they saw no one but Jesus only.

Prior to verse 8 above, Peter had asked Jesus in verse 4 if he would like for him to make three tents, one for Jesus and one for Moses and one for Elijah. Then the voice of God said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him.” After the apostles fell on the ground face down in fear, Jesus told them to rise and have no fear. When they did this they saw no one but Jesus. For the apostles and for us the message is clear. Jesus is the one to listen to and He is the one to see. We should keep our eyes focused upon Jesus and listen to him and his revelation of fulfillment in the New Covenant and not Moses or Elijah [Heb. 1:1-2].

Focus on Christ #54

53) Listen to Him

Matthew 17:5 He was still speaking when, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him.”

Jesus took Peter, James, and John to a high mountain where He was transfigured before them and his face became as bright as the sun. Moses received the law from God on Mount Sinai and here on the Mount of Transfiguration these three Jewish apostles, who were under the Law of Moses, were told by God to listen to Jesus Christ. John would later write: John 1:17 For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. The message is clear and that is to LISTEN to Jesus Christ who brought grace and truth to replace the law [Romans 7:6]. Jesus provides grace for salvation and truth as the new lawgiver for Christian discipleship.

Focus on Christ #53

52) The Final Word in Jesus

Hebrews 1:1-2 Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, (2) but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world.

The term long ago refers to the Old Testament and old covenant era where God’s revelation came in many ways through his prophets. The term last days refers to the new covenant era where God has spoken to us through his son Jesus Christ. This revelation from Jesus Christ was given to the apostles and has been recorded in the New Testament gospels and epistles for our enlightenment. In these gospels and epistles God’s completed plan of redemption has been made known. The Old Testament mystery that Paul talks about in Ephesians 3, has been fulfilled in Jesus Christ and the new covenant. These New Testament gospels and epistles interpret what was veiled in the Old Testament, and we would do well to keep our eyes on Jesus Christ and listen to this completed revelation.

Focus on Christ #52

51) God’s eternal purpose realized in Christ Jesus

Ephesians 3:11-12 This was according to the eternal purpose that he has realized in Christ Jesus our Lord, (12) in whom we have boldness and access with confidence through our faith in him.

God had an eternal purpose that unfolded perfectly according to His plan. This purpose has been realized in Christ Jesus. It has been fulfilled totally and completely and there is nothing further for God to do for or through physical national Israel. Nothing further can be done for the dead, and those Jews who are alive have the same path to salvation, as do Gentiles. God’s way to redeem sinners is through faith in the completed ministry of Jesus Christ our Lord. This redemption of God’s elect from all nations including Israel will continue until Jesus returns and then the eternal kingdom of God will begin. As Jesus said on the cross, it is finished [John 19:30].

Focus on Christ #50

50) Fulfillment of God’s plan

Ephesians 3:8-10 To me, though I am the very least of all the saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, (9) and to bring to light for everyone what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in God who created all things, (10) so that through the church the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places.

Paul describes his mission as preaching the unsearchable riches of God’s grace to Gentiles. Then he states a purpose of bringing to light the mystery of God’s salvation that has been hidden for ages. This obviously means that Old Testament revelation did not bring this mystery to light to the extent that he was called to do. Paul states that God’s manifold wisdom might now be made known to the rulers in heavenly places through the church. This points to fulfillment through the Church of Jesus Christ of something that was not fully understood or complete in the Old Testament era.

Focus on Christ #50

49) Through God’s grace Paul was given the details of the gospel

Ephesians 3:7 Of this gospel I was made a minister according to the gift of God's grace, which was given me by the working of his power.

Through the power of God, Paul was given the details of the gospel. He was given and clearly understood the gospel that was fulfilled in the person and work of Jesus Christ. While the Old Testament reveals the promise and working out of God’s plan of redemption, the New Testament reveals the fulfillment of the gospel of God. The FOCUS of this fulfillment is about Christ and the glory of God’s grace. It is not about a physical nation that God used to bring about this fulfillment.

Focus on Christ #49

48) The mystery of the Gentiles

Ephesians 3:6 This mystery is that the Gentiles are fellow heirs, members of the same body, and partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel.

The mystery of the inclusion of Gentiles was not revealed to the Old Testament prophets. The fact that Gentiles would be partakers of the promise through a new entity [The church] was not fully revealed to them. Nothing could be more inaccurate than to think of the nation of Israel as the Old Testament church, since they were not a spiritually redeemed people except for a small remnant. Israel was and is a physical nation of one people group, whereas the church is a spiritual body of all ethnic groups. Paul makes it clear in Ephesians 2:11-22 that the church began with the new covenant and the new man in Christ, which precludes any possibility that the church existed in the Old Testament era.

Focus on Christ #48

47) New Testament revelation is superior to Old Testament revelation.

Ephesians 3:4-5 When you read this, you can perceive my insight into the mystery of Christ, (5) which was not made known to the sons of men in other generations as it has now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit.

The mystery of Christ was not made known in the old covenant and Old Testament to the extent that it was revealed to the Apostles and prophets of the new covenant era by the Holy Spirit. That is why it is of prime importance to let the enhanced and more complete revelation of the New Testament be our guide in interpreting the Old Testament. To NOT do so would be like using a hundred year old physics textbook to study physics rather than a current book.

Focus on Christ #47

46) Paul was given a revelation from God

Ephesians 3:1-3 For this reason I, Paul, a prisoner for Christ Jesus on behalf of you Gentiles— (2) assuming that you have heard of the stewardship of God's grace that was given to me for you, (3) how the mystery was made known to me by revelation, as I have written briefly.

Paul’s primary ministry was to take the gospel to the Gentiles. He was given the mystery of the complete gospel message through direct revelation from God. This mystery was that the promise of redemption was to include people from all ethnic groups and not just Jews. The Abrahamic promise of a great nation was fulfilled in the body of Christ that Paul also calls Abraham’s offspring, heirs according to promise.

Focus on Christ #46

45) The Holy Nation is not under law.

Ephesians 2:22 In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit.

Each individual Christian is indwelt by the Holy Spirit and is a dwelling place for God. This is pointed out clearly in 1 Corinthians 3:16 Do you not know that you are God's temple and that God's Spirit dwells in you? In Romans 8:2 Paul explains further that the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death. Therefore, Christians are a new creation in Christ and have been set free from the legalistic and external obedience to the law. Instead, Christians are empowered and enabled by the indwelling Spirit of life to have an internal obedience to the law of Christ as Christ and the New Testament apostles state it. That is why New Covenant Christians are not under law, but under grace. The old covenant required perfect obedience to the law through self-effort, but the new covenant provides the grace to meet all the requirements, and this grace is a free gift [Eph. 2:8].

Focus on Christ #45

44) The Holy Nation Fulfilled

Ephesians 2:21 in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord.

New Covenant believers are joined together to form a holy temple in the Lord. This temple is made up of new creations in Christ and form the body of Christ. Christians are in Christ through faith and Christ is in Christians through the Spirit. This body of Christ is the fulfillment of the Holy Nation of Exodus 19:5-6 that Peter speaks of in 1 Peter 2:9-10.

Focus on Christ #44

43) The church’s foundation

Ephesians 2:20 built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone,

The household of God is the church of Jesus Christ and is built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets. If the apostles are part of the foundation, then it is obvious the church does not pre-date the life and times of the apostles. Christ Jesus is the cornerstone of the church and when he told Peter, upon this rock I will build my church, it is clear the church was still in the future. The Old Testament remnant was not in the church even though they were saved by the blood of Christ.

Focus on Christ #43

42) Only one household of God

Ephesians 2:19 So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God,

While Gentiles were strangers and aliens to the old covenant and its promises, they are included in the new covenant and are fellow citizens with Jewish saints in the new covenant. Although the new covenant promise is offered to all nations and people, only believers are included in the new covenant. The old covenant was made with an unredeemed people who had obedience requirements in order to receive the blessings. From this unredeemed people, God preserved a remnant that looked with faith to a redeemer. The new covenant is with regenerated believers only that are freely given everything that is required by God.

Focus on Christ #42

41) With a new covenant comes a new priest

Ephesians 2:18 For through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father.

In the old covenant, access to the Father was for the Jewish people only and that was only through the mediation of a Jewish priest. In the new covenant, access to God has been opened to both Jews and Gentiles through Christ by one Spirit. Jesus is prophet, priest, and king for new covenant believers and He is our mediator. This is hardly a continuation of single covenant, but a new covenant founded on better promises such as this access. As Hebrews 8:8-9 states the new covenant is NOT LIKE the old covenant.

Focus on Christ #41

40) Jesus preached salvation to both Jews and Gentiles

Ephesians 2:17 And he came and preached peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near.

Jesus Christ came and preached peace with God [Romans 5:1] to those who were far off such as the people of Ephesus and also to the Jews who were near. This passage and the gospels make it clear that the Jews were NOT a spiritually redeemed people as a group and needed the gospel of salvation ever much as did the Gentiles. It is incorrect to think of Old Testament Israel as a spiritually redeemed people of God. They were physically redeemed and God worked through them in a powerful way to bring about salvation in Jesus Christ, but they were NOT a spiritually redeemed nation. Paul points this out clearly in Romans 9:27 where he affirms that only a remnant would be saved.

Focus on Christ #40

39) Jesus purchased His Church on the cross with his blood

Ephesians 2:16 and might reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross, thereby killing the hostility.

The one new man is reconciled to God in one body. This one body is the church of Jesus Christ that Jesus Christ purchased on the cross of Calvary. Although there was a remnant saved by faith in the Old Testament era, there was no Old Testament Church. There was a dividing wall between Jew and Gentile in the Old Testament era, and Jesus removed the wall by his blood, thus killing the hostility. The new covenant replaced the old covenant because Jesus made it obsolete with the new body of Christ made up of believing regenerated Jews and Gentiles. (See devotionals #20 through #25 for more on the new covenant)

Focus on Christ #39

38) The new man is a new covenant believer

Ephesians 2:15 by abolishing the law of commandments expressed in ordinances, that he might create in himself one new man in place of the two, so making peace,

By perfectly fulfilling the laws and commandments that were given to Israel, Jesus effectively abolished them in order that he might create one new man in place of the two. This new man WAS NOT created simply by bringing Gentiles into the old covenant. No, the new man is a new creation in Christ, and is a new covenant believer regardless of whether he is Jew or Gentile. Jesus fulfilled the righteous requirements of the law for Israel and all of humanity in order that he might create a single new man saved by His grace. Salvation is all about Jesus Christ and not ethnicity. It is about the new covenant fulfillment of the Old Testament promise and not just another administration of a single covenant.

Focus on Christ #38

37) There is no segregation of Jew and Gentile in the body of Christ

Ephesians 2:14 For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility

Jesus Christ brought peace with God for believers [Romans 5:1]. Both Jews and Gentiles are one in the true spiritual Israel, which is the church of Jesus Christ. There is neither Jew nor Gentile and all believers are adopted sons in Jesus Christ through faith [Galatians 3:26-28]. There is only one body of Christ and as equal parts of the body of Christ, there is no longer any wall of hostility between Jewish Christians and Gentile Christians.

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36) The new covenant in the blood of Christ

Ephesians 2:13 But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.

With the inception of the new covenant, the people at Ephesus and all people on earth were included in the offer of salvation through the blood of Christ. The special role for national Israel in redemptive history ended with the beginning of the New Covenant. The promise of the Old Covenant was fulfilled in Jesus Christ and the new covenant. The church began with this new covenant and includes all ethnic groups including both Jew and Gentile. As Paul states, “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.”

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35) Gentiles were without hope in the Old Covenant era

Ephesians 2:11-12 Therefore remember that at one time you Gentiles in the flesh, called “the uncircumcision” by what is called the circumcision, which is made in the flesh by hands— (12) remember that you were at that time separated from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world.

Gentiles were without God, had no hope for salvation in the old covenant era, and were alienated from the nation of Israel. In the law covenant, God himself placed a wall of separation between Jews and Gentiles. While there was a small remnant saved by grace, the Israelites were NOT a spiritually redeemed people. They were a chosen physical nation that had the advantage of the Abrahamic covenant of promise, the law covenant, and the gospel promise clearly presented. The gospel of grace was preached to Abraham [Galatians 3:8], but this gospel was not proclaimed to the Gentiles in the old covenant.

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34) Abraham looked forward to the heavenly City of God

Hebrews 11:10 For he was looking forward to the city that has foundations, whose designer and builder is God.

In speaking of Abraham’s faith the writer of Hebrews states that Abraham was looking forward to the City of God. This meant Abraham was looking forward in faith to a heavenly fulfillment of the land promise of the Old Testament. Verse 16 of Hebrews makes it clear that a heavenly City of God was the object of faith for Abraham and his descendants rather than the physical land of Canaan. The gift of eternal life to the recipients of the new covenant fulfills the land promise made in the covenant made with Abraham.

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33) Who are God’s people and the true holy nation of Exodus 19

1 Peter 2:9-10 But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. (10) Once you were not a people, but now you are God's people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.

God promised Israel in Exodus 19:5-6 that obedience to His covenant would make them a treasured possession, a kingdom of priests and a holy nation. While national Israel failed, Jesus Christ succeeded on the behalf of all who are in Him through faith. Peter explained in this passage that His treasured possession, royal priesthood, and holy nation promise had been fulfilled through God’s mercy. The holy nation of Exodus 19:6 is fulfilled in spiritual Israel, which is the church of Jesus Christ.

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32) The day the Old [Mosaic] Covenant ended

Matthew 27:50-51 And Jesus cried out again with a loud voice and yielded up his spirit. (51) And behold, the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. And the earth shook, and the rocks were split.

At this moment the old covenant ended and the new covenant began. The way to approach God was now through the new covenant of Jesus Christ and not through the Mosaic covenant. The role of national of Israel ended with the replacing of the Mosaic Covenant with the new covenant. Reconciliation with God is now accomplished through the blood of Christ for Jews and Gentiles [Eph. 2:12-18]. Grace replaced law at the moment Jesus uttered, “It is finished” on the cross of Calvary.

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31) The day the Old [Mosaic] Covenant began

Exodus 19:5-6 Now therefore, if you will indeed obey my voice and keep my covenant, you shall be my treasured possession among all peoples, for all the earth is mine; (6) and you shall be to me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation. These are the words that you shall speak to the people of Israel.

”IF! If you keep my covenant, then you shall……… This covenant was a legal conditional covenant requiring obedience. The physical nation of Israel failed miserably in fulfilling the Mosaic Covenant, but Jesus Christ perfectly fulfilled this covenant on behalf of New Covenant recipients [spiritual Israel] as well as the Old Testament remnant of the physical nation of Israel.

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30) Jesus fulfilled everything written about him

Luke 24:44 Then he said to them, “These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you, that everything written about me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled.”

Before the foundation of the world, God’s plan was to redeem one people of God from all nations on earth. Jesus fulfilled God’s plan of redemption perfectly, and this plan did not fail at any point including the nation Israel. The covenant promise of Genesis 17:7-8 is for the spiritual seed of Abraham and not the physical nation of Israel. This is explained in Romans 9:6-8.

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29) Let the New interpret the Old

Luke 24:27 And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself.

Jesus interpreted the Old Testament Scriptures through himself. The Old Testament is best interpreted through the more complete revelation of the New Testament just as the prophecies about Jesus are seen more clearly through his ministry on earth. The principle that Jesus used on the Road to Emmaus is clear and that is to let the New Testament interpret the Old Testament.

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28) Scripture alone must determine doctrine

Acts 17:11 Now these Jews were more noble than those in Thessalonica; they received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so.

While trained Christian pastors, teachers, and theologians are part of God’s plan for His church on earth, Scripture alone is sufficient and should be the guide for determining if the dogma contained in creeds and commentaries are so. Creeds and confessions of faith have great value, but they do not trump the teaching of Scripture. Logical theological deductions also do not trump Scripture. When Christians cannot reconcile creeds to Scripture, then Scripture must take precedence.

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27) Gentiles were included in the New Covenant

Acts 14:27 And when they arrived and gathered the church together, they declared all that God had done with them, and how he had opened a door of faith to the Gentiles.

God brought the new covenant church to the Gentiles through faith. While the old covenant was made with the physical nation of Israel, the new covenant was brought to every tongue, tribe, and nation. God’s plan of redemption from the foundation of the world was for Jesus Christ to redeem a people for himself by providing them atonement for their sin debt and His righteousness for their justification.

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26) The Church of Jesus Christ began at Pentecost

Matthew 16:18 And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

Whether the rock to which Jesus refers is Peter or his profession, it is clear that Jesus is speaking of his church as a future event. The nation of Israel was not the church. Although there was a remnant saved during the old covenant era, the church of Jesus Christ began at Pentecost.

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25) Jesus made the old covenant obsolete

Hebrews 8:13 In speaking of a new covenant, he makes the first one obsolete. And what is becoming obsolete and growing old is ready to vanish away.

The old Mosaic covenant was a legal conditional covenant made with the physical nation of Israel only. It has been replaced with the new covenant, which is an unconditional gracious covenant made with believers from Israel plus every nation, tongue, and tribe on earth. The gospel of grace, which was preached to Abraham [Galatians 3:8], has been fulfilled by Jesus who is the mediator and guarantor of a more excellent and permanent covenant.

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24) New Covenant members receive forgiveness

Hebrews 8:12 For I will be merciful toward their iniquities, and I will remember their sins no more.”

The sins of new covenant members are forgiven through their faith in Jesus Christ. Jesus as the Lamb of God secured the blessings and suffered the penalty of the old covenant on behalf of all who come to him in faith. Praise God that Christians are no longer under law, but are under new covenant grace.

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23) All members of the New Covenant are saved

Hebrews 8:11 And they shall not teach, each one his neighbor and each one his brother, saying, ‘Know the Lord,’ for they shall all know me, from the least of them to the greatest.

This verse affirms the new covenant is made with believers only. The new covenant is comprised of regenerated believers from both Israel and all other nations. The old covenant was made with the physical nation of Israel and most were NOT spiritually redeemed. Only a remnant of the nation of Israel was redeemed [Romans 9:27]. THE DISTINCTION: The old covenant was with a single physical nation, while the new is with regenerated believers of all nations.

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22) The New Covenant applied through regeneration

Hebrews 8:10 For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, declares the Lord: I will put my laws into their minds, and write them on their hearts, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.

After the old covenant days, God promised a new covenant with the house of Israel, and in Ephesians 2:11-22 Paul explained that Gentiles would be brought into this new covenant. In the new covenant the laws, precepts, and ethics of God are written into the minds and hearts of His people. This is a reference to regeneration that makes believers spiritually alive and able to respond to God. It is about giving believers the motivation and ability to obey God and not just giving them the content of law that was written on tablets of stone. These regenerated believers will be the people of God with hearts of flesh rather than hearts of stone. This is grace and it enables believers through the power of the Holy Spirit to desire to be obedient to the commands of Christ [Romans 8:14].

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21) The New Covenant replaced the Old Covenant

Hebrews 8:9 not like the covenant that I made with their fathers on the day when I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt. For they did not continue in my covenant, and so I showed no concern for them, declares the Lord.

The new covenant is not like the old covenant made at Mt. Sinai. It is a completely new and that is why Paul can say in Romans that believers are not under law but under grace. Israel was a chosen physical nation with many privileges and blessings, but it was not a spiritually redeemed nation as Paul points out in Romans 9:8. Since they did not continue in the old covenant, God showed no concern for them. [for more see first comment]

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20) The New Covenant

Hebrews 8:8 For he finds fault with them when he says: “Behold, the days are coming, declares the Lord, when I will establish a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah,

Hebrews 8:8-12 repeats what the prophet Jeremiah stated in Jeremiah 31:31-34. The book of Hebrews interprets this new covenant through the ministry of Jesus Christ who was declared prophet, priest, and king with power. In the passage above, it was prophesized that a new covenant would be established with Israel. This new covenant is not a different administration of the same covenant, but a NEW covenant that replaced the Mosaic covenant.

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19) Jesus fulfilled the Law to redeem His people

Matthew 5:17 Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them.

Jesus is the promised redeemer of the Old Testament prophecies. He perfectly fulfilled the law of Moses to provide righteousness for his people and He died on the cross of Calvary to make atonement for their sin. Believers take hold of this redemption through faith alone.

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18) The final outcome

Romans 8:6 For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace.

In this verse Paul states the results of the mindset of unbelievers verses believers. For unbelievers the outcome will be physical and spiritual death. For believers the outcome is eternal life and peace. Believers not only have peace with God, but also peace of mind. Physical death is nothing but a door from physical life to spiritual life. Death has no sting for believers.

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17) It is all in the mind

Romans 8:5 For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit.

Paul is making a clear distinction between believers and unbelievers. The difference in this verse is what they have their minds set on. The unbeliever is interested in temporal worldly things that do not last. The believer’s mind and focus is on spiritual things that are eternal.

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16) Jesus purchases redemption and changes hearts

Romans 8:4 in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.

The righteous requirements of the law have been fulfilled in believers because of the righteousness of Jesus Christ who perfectly upheld the law of Moses. Believers are in Christ through faith and are distinguished from unbelievers because they walk according to the Spirit. The character and life style Christians verses non-Christians are contrasted in this verse.

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15) Jesus paid it all

Romans 8:3 For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do. By sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, he condemned sin in the flesh,

Due to the sin nature inherited from Adam, human beings could not meet the legal requirements of the Mosaic Law. However, God provided through His son, Jesus Christ, a second Adam who met the laws demands and condemned sin on the cross of Calvary! Jesus provided the righteousness and also paid the sin debt of all who are in him through faith.

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14) Christians are free from Old Covenant Law

Romans 8:2 For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death.

The grace of God through Jesus Christ and the Spirit has set Christians free from the Mosaic Law. New Covenant Christians are free from the legal requirements of the law because Jesus Christ fulfilled them all on their behalf. Christians are saved from the law of sin and death through faith in Christ.

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13) Christians in Christ are eternally secure

Romans 8:1 There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.

Christians are eternally secure from the condemnation that results from sin due to being covered by the righteousness of Christ. Jesus Christ fulfilled the Mosaic Covenant on behalf of everyone who is in union with Him by faith.

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12) Christians are not under Old Covenant law

Galatians 5:18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.

New Covenant believers are led by the Spirit and their sanctification is powered by the Holy Spirit. They are NOT under the law for justification or sanctification. Under Christ, the new lawgiver, all of the principles for Christian obedience and discipleship are stated in the New Testament. Several of the ten commandments have been enhanced and made stronger by Jesus.

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11) The law of Moses has been abolished

2 Corinthians 3:11 And if what was fading away came with glory, how much greater is the glory of that which lasts!

The law of Moses has been abolished! The New Covenant, grace, and the Spirit has replaced the law of Moses, which has faded away. Jesus Christ as prophet, priest, and king is the more excellent lawgiver that replaced Moses as prophet and Aaron as priest. We should look to Jesus and not Moses for our sanctification.

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