LHIM Everything

Luke 1:46 and 47; John 12:27; 13:21 The word “spirit” at times, not often, is used as a synonym for “soul.”

Romans 1:4 The spirit of God that is freely given to believers most often is referred to as the holy spirit. 8:11, 9

1:9 Service is centered in spirit. 7:6; 1 Peter 4:10 and 11

2:28 and 29 That which makes a person a “Jew,” a chosen one, is the heart changed by the spirit.

5:5 The love of God is poured out in our hearts by the holy spirit.

7:5 and 6 We are freed from the Law and the passions of the flesh by the newness of the spirit.

8:2 The law of the spirit of life set us free from the law of sin and death.

Romans 8:4, 5, 6, 10 The spirit imparts life.

8:9 The spirit connects us to God.

8:11 The spirit is the earnest and guarantee of the coming resurrection. 2 Corinthians 5:5

8:13 By the Spirit, we put to death the deeds of the body.

8:14 We are led by the spirit.

8:15 The spirit enables us as sons.

8:16 and 17 The spirit bears witness with us that we are sons and heirs.

8:23 The spirit is the first installment or initial down-payment of the eternal heritage of glory. 2 Corinthians 1:22; 5:5; Ephesians 1:14

8:26 and 27 The spirit helps us with our prayer life. The spirit is our parakletos (John 14:16, 26; 15:26, 16:7). The spirit can direct us for whom and what to pray.

1 Corinthians 14:13-18 Speaking in tongues is prayer that gives thanks.

8:28 The verse does not say that God is the cause of all things, but that He can work out all for our good. Acts 5:1-12

8:29 Jesus was God’s only begotten and Mary’s first born. He is the first born from the dead. Colossians 1:18

8:30 Glorifying is the climax, the purpose of God’s gracious predestination. Sanctification is progressive conformity to the mind or image of Christ here and now; glory is perfect conformity to the image of Christ in the future. Sanctification is glory begun; glory is sanctification consummated.

8:31-38 The triumph

The post Spirit Life first appeared on Living Hope.

Romans 8:1 – The Christian’s baptism is into Christ Jesus (6:1-3); by faith union with him, his people are reckoned to have died with him, been buried with him, and been raised with him. He lives in us. We by faith live in him (Galatians 2:20). To be in Christ is not just attending a church; rather, it is living according to his will.

2 – 2 Corinthians 3:17; Galatians 5:13 The law [principle] of sin and death 7:21-25 The law of the spirit of life is contrasted with the law of sin and death. With the entry of the spirit, there is no further talk of defeat. The conflict goes on, but where the spirit is in control, the power of indwelling sin is mastered.

3 – Jesus came in flesh, not just the likeness of it; rather, the likeness is in the “sinful flesh.”

4 – The Laws just requirement is summed up in 13:9 in the single commandment, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” To live according to the flesh is to live under law; to live according to the spirit means to live under grace. All that the Law required by way of conformity to the will of God is now realized in the lives of those who are lead by the holy spirit.

5 – Galatians 5:16-ff

9 – If a man does not possess the spirit of Christ, he is not Christian since it is the spirit alone that brings people into living relation with Christ. There can be no relationship with God or Christ apart from the spirit.

10 – The body is still subject to that temporal death − the consequence of sin, but, on the other hand, the spirit imparts to you eternal life − the consequence of justification.

11 – 1 Corinthians 6:14; 2 Corinthians 4:14; 1 Thessalonians 4:14 In the resurrection, our mortal bodies will be given eternal life (2 Corinthians 5:5).

13 – In 6:11, we are to consider self dead in relation to sin. Here we are told to treat our former sinful practices as dead in relation to self.

14 – 1 John 2:28-3:10

15 – Mark 14:36 and Galatians 4:6 Aramaic “Abba,” a term of endearment

18-30 – The glory to come when Christ returns

31-39 – The triumph of faith

The post Prison House of Sin No More first appeared on Living Hope.

Romans 5:12-21 Every human is connected to Adam, and every believer is connected to both Adam and the second Adam, Jesus the Christ.

12 – Because we are connected to Adam, we have the sin nature.

13 – The Law enables man to identify sin.

14 – All suffered the consequence of sin regardless of understanding the Law. Adam is a type for Jesus in that those connected to Adam receive his nature and those connected to Christ receive His nature. With the one, comes sin unto death, and with the other, righteousness unto life.

Romans 7:7 By the Law is the knowledge of sin [Romans3:20]. Where no Law is, there is no sin [Romans 4:15]. The Law is a mirror that reveals the inner man and shows us how dirty we are [James 1:22-25].

Mark 10:17-27 – The young man was very moral outwardly but had not faced the sins within. Jesus showed him what a sinner he really was, but instead of repenting and turning to Jesus, he walked away. The Law is like Jesus was in this record.

Romans 7:9 – The law arouses sin. Something in human nature wants to rebel whenever a law is given. Believers who try to live by rules and regulations discover that their legalistic system only arouses more sin and creates more problems. Legalism does not make us more spiritual, rather more sinful.

11 – The Law cannot give life; it can only show the sinner that he is guilty, condemned, and needs a savior.

13– The Law shows the sinfulness of sin. Unsaved people know that there is such a thing as sin, but they do not realize the sinfulness of sin. Many Christians do not realize the true nature of sin. We excuse our sins with words like “mistakes,” “weakness.” Until we realize how wicked sin really is, we will never want to oppose it and live in victory

7:14-25 – Having seen what the Law is supposed to do, now we see what it cannot do. The Law cannot transform the old nature; it can only reveal how sinful that old nature is.

It is our union with Christ that enables us to serve God acceptably. For it is God which works in you, both to will and to do His good pleasure.

The post The Christians and The Law first appeared on Living Hope.

Romans 6:1-2 What is our proper response to the grace God has given us?

Romans 6:3-7 We are by default salves to sin. The surest escape from slavery is death. In order to find liberation from sin we too must die (spiritually).

Romans 6:8-11 We need to count up the matter, realize what really happened, and understand that we are now dead to sin. Ultimately this chapter is dealing with identity. Who are you?

Romans 6:12-14 We can’t let sin dominate us. Our members should now be instruments of righteousness. Sin no longer has the right to rule over you. You have a choice. Christ did not die to make us forgiven sinners; he died to break the power of sin itself and free us from its dominion!

Romans 6:15-23 Become free from sin so you may become a slave to righteousness. However, even once we embrace righteousness, we still do not earn eternal life—it remains a gift.

Romans 1:1 From Paul, a slave of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God.

Philippians 1:1 From Paul and Timothy, slaves of Christ Jesus, to all the saints in Christ Jesus who are in Philippi, with the overseers and deacons.

Colossians 4:12 Epaphras, who is one of you and a slave of Christ, greets you. He is always struggling in prayer on your behalf, so that you may stand mature and fully assured in all the will of God.

Titus 1:1 From Paul, a slave of God and apostle of Jesus Christ, to further the faith of God's chosen ones and the knowledge of the truth that is in keeping with godliness,

James 1:1 From James, a slave of God and the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes dispersed abroad. Greetings!

2 Peter 1:1 From Simeon Peter, a slave and apostle of Jesus Christ, to those who through the righteousness of our God and Savior, Jesus Christ, have been granted a faith just as precious as ours.

Jude 1 From Jude, a slave of Jesus Christ and brother of James, to those who are called, wrapped in the love of God the Father and kept for Jesus Christ.

Revelation 1:1 The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show his servants [slaves] what must happen very soon. He made it clear by sending his angel to his servant John,

As long as you are unwilling to confess you are a slave of Christ, you remain a slave to sin and unrighteousness, but once you confess him as master/lord, he sets you free from everything you could not conquer on your own.

The post Slaves of Sin or Righteousness first appeared on Living Hope.

Everyone is unrighteous, and everyone is powerless to make himself righteous.

2 Corinthians 5:21 Righteousness is God’s gift to us through the sacrifice of Jesus.

Romans 3:20 – The deception was that keeping the Law was necessary to be saved and receive righteousness.

21 – The Law refers to the writings of Moses “the writings” to the prophets and if properly understood disprove righteousness by works and foretell of grace.

24 – As a gift by grace through redemption in Christ

25 – “Propitiation” and “passed over” are subtle allusions to OT records.

28 – Paul does not mean that such works need not be performed, but that, even when they are performed tolerably well, one is not thereby justified in God’s sight. He is breaking the ground under the feet of those who say, “I always do the best I can…I try to live a decent life…I pay my lawful dues, and what more can God expect of me?”

3 – Genesis 15:6

5 – Luke 18:9-14 He, as Abraham did, realized the futility of self-reliance, and he cast himself entirely on God’s grace.

6 – Psalm 32

10 – The covenant of circumcision was not introduced until a later stage in Abraham’s life (Genesis 17:10-14), at least 14 years later.

Galatians 3:17 The law was given 430 years after the promise to Abraham, so it had nothing to do with it.

19 – A springboard to his faith was God’s promise and his own powerlessness, again why the first three chapters cut our self-righteous legs from under us.

5:1-11 The fruit of righteousness by faith

Faith is necessary to receive the gift of righteousness, and if we have faith, then we are obedient to the lordship of Christ by obedience to the Word. Genuine faith produces works of righteousness, that is we live the right way.

The post Righteousness and Faith first appeared on Living Hope.

Romans 1:1 – God’s good news is not restrictive, hindering, or hurtful.

2-4 – God’s good news is concerning His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.

9 – The gospel in Romans simply stated is about His Son’s accomplishments.

16 – The gospel is the power of God for salvation.

17 – In it the righteousness of God is revealed; therefore, righteousness is a major topic in this book. “Righteous” occurs 6 times, and “righteousness” 35 times. God’s righteousness for man is a legal status that dictates a moral quality and lifestyle.

Daniel 9:14– God is righteous, and He makes those of faith righteous. He set the standard for righteousness, and ultimately He will ensure that only righteousness prevails.

Psalm 14:1-3; Romans 3:10 – We use the word “righteous” (in the right) when someone conforms to the legal or moral standard of society. To be righteous according to God’s standard is impossible for all men.

 

17 – “Faith to faith” communicates the way of righteousness based on the principle of faith and presented to men and women for their acceptance by faith. The only way to be in the right is by faith in the promise of God through His Son.

 

Habakkuk 2:4 The Chaldeans were certain that they were in the right and the Jews and the rest of the world in the wrong.

14 – The Romans were the righteous ones and all others barbarians. The Jews thought themselves the righteous ones and everyone else Gentiles [dogs].

1:18-3:20 – God gives legs to what is stated succinctly in Ephesians 2:1-3 and dispels the deceptions regarding righteousness.

21 – “Futile” is to make vain or foolish, and “speculations” are reasonings.

24 – There is a law in life that we are left to the consequences of our own freely chosen course of action, and unless this tendency is reversed by divine grace, the situation will go from bad to worse. Three times (in 24, 26, and 28) the words of doom − “God gave them over” − recur.

26-28 – Degrading passions, indecent acts, and depraved minds – the point is to state what should be clearly obvious, to expose what happens when people live by their own righteousness. What should be obviously wrong has become morally acceptable and normal.

 

31 – The list of vices belongs to a category well-attested in Greek and Roman literature of this period. 1Corinthians 6:9 and 10; Galatians 5:19-21; and Colossians 3:5

2:1-16 To the self-righteous moralist Religious Jews found ample scope for passing adverse moral judgment on their Gentile neighbors; however, in doing so, they were just like them – sinners.

 

3:9-20 The summary of humanity apart from God

3:21-31 God’s gracious gift of righteousness to those of faith

The post Righteousness first appeared on Living Hope.

14 As obedient children, do not be conformed to the former lusts which were yours in your ignorance, 15 but like the Holy One who called you, be holy yourselves also in all your behavior; 16 because it is written, “YOU SHALL BE HOLY, FOR I AM HOLY.”

– you can pretend it isn’t there

– you can avoid talking about it

– but you cannot remove it from the bible

– it is in the OT

– it is in the NT

– Moses speaks of it; Jesus speaks of it; the prophets speak of it; Paul urges us towards holiness

22 Abstain from every form of evil. 23 Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

– not the devil who says such a thing is not possible

1 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. 2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.

– what is sin to you?

– is sin just a mistake? like forgetting to pay a bill on time?

– is sin inevitable? like death and taxes?

– is sin unavoidable? like mosquitoes in the summer time?

– or is sin the dastardly evil that rips you out of God’s loving arms?

1 In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim king of Judah, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came to Jerusalem and besieged it. 2 The Lord gave Jehoiakim king of Judah into his hand, along with some of the vessels of the house of God; and he brought them to the land of Shinar, to the house of his god, and he brought the vessels into the treasury of his god. 3 Then the king ordered Ashpenaz, the chief of his officials, to bring in some of the sons of Israel, including some of the royal family and of the nobles, 4 youths in whom was no defect, who were good-looking, showing intelligence in every branch of wisdom, endowed with understanding and discerning knowledge, and who had ability for serving in the king's court; and he ordered him to teach them the literature and language of the Chaldeans. 5 The king appointed for them a daily ration from the king's choice food and from the wine which he drank, and appointed that they should be educated three years, at the end of which they were to enter the king's personal service. 6 Now among them from the sons of Judah were Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah. 7 Then the commander of the officials assigned new names to them; and to Daniel he assigned the name Belteshazzar, to Hananiah Shadrach, to Mishael Meshach and to Azariah Abed-nego. 8 But Daniel made up his mind that he would not defile himself with the king's choice food or with the wine which he drank; so he sought permission from the commander of the officials that he might not defile himself. 9 Now God granted Daniel favor and compassion in the sight of the commander of the officials, 10 and the commander of the officials said to Daniel, “I am afraid of my lord the king, who has appointed your food and your drink; for why should he see your faces looking more haggard than the youths who are your own age? Then you would make me forfeit my head to the king.” 11 But Daniel said to the overseer whom the commander of the officials had appointed over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah, 12 “Please test your servants for ten days, and let us be given some vegetables to eat and water to drink. 13 “Then let our appearance be observed in your presence and the appearance of the youths who are eating the king's choice food; and deal with your servants according to what you see.” 14 So he listened to them in this matter and tested them for ten days. 15 At the end of ten days their appearance seemed better and they were fatter than all the youths who had been eating the king's choice food. 16 So the overseer continued to withhold their choice food and the wine they were to drink, and kept giving them vegetables. 17 As for these four youths, God gave them knowledge and intelligence in every branch of literature and wisdom; Daniel even understood all kinds of visions and dreams. 18 Then at the end of the days which the king had specified for presenting them, the commander of the officials presented them before Nebuchadnezzar. 19 The king talked with them, and out of them all not one was found like Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah; so they entered the king's personal service. 20 As for every matter of wisdom and understanding about which the king consulted them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and conjurers who were in all his realm. 21 And Daniel continued until the first year of Cyrus the king.

– I will be holy

– no matter what everyone else does

– no matter what the cost is

– you take a stand for God and God will back you up

– you are as holy as you want to be

– on the last day God is going to unleash his wrath

– he is going to punish sinners

– no one will be able to use their money or social prestige to escape

1 “For behold, the day is coming, burning like a furnace; and all the arrogant and every evildoer will be chaff; and the day that is coming will set them ablaze,” says the LORD of hosts, “so that it will leave them neither root nor branch.” 2 “But for you who fear My name, the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its wings; and you will go forth and skip about like calves from the stall. 3 “You will tread down the wicked, for they will be ashes under the soles of your feet on the day which I am preparing,” says the LORD of hosts.

8 “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.

14 Pursue peace with all men, and the sanctification without which no one will see the Lord.

14 Do not be bound together with unbelievers; for what partnership have righteousness and lawlessness, or what fellowship has light with darkness? 15 Or what harmony has Christ with Belial, or what has a believer in common with an unbeliever? 16 Or what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For we are the temple of the living God; just as God said, “I WILL DWELL IN THEM AND WALK AMONG THEM; AND I WILL BE THEIR GOD, AND THEY SHALL BE MY PEOPLE. 17 “Therefore, COME OUT FROM THEIR MIDST AND BE SEPARATE,” says the Lord. “AND DO NOT TOUCH WHAT IS UNCLEAN; And I will welcome you. 18 “And I will be a father to you, And you shall be sons and daughters to Me,” Says the Lord Almighty. NAU 2 Corinthians 7:1 Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all defilement of flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.

no matter what the consequences

no matter what the nation does

no matter how much everyone hates the word holiness

I will not defile myself

I will be holy

have you made this decision in your soul?

The post As Holy as You Want To Be first appeared on Living Hope.

Nations are institutions governed by men. Nations rise and fall, rulers get replaced, and governments as well as political parties change. However, the Sovereign God, who is from everlasting to everlasting, has always been. If He decides to exercise His dominion over a nation, He can raise it up to great power, or He can overthrow it and bring it to ruin. God is Sovereign over the nations.

Jeremiah 18:1-10 – Just as a potter has power over clay, God is sovereign over the nations.

Colossians 1:13

We have been rescued from the domain of darkness and transferred to the Kingdom of God.

Hebrews 2:14-15 – Jesus freed us from the power of death. That was the beginning of our liberation from this world.

Romans 8:18-21 – We have been freed, but death still stings today. However, there is a day coming when we will be completely free, truly set at liberty!

Philippians 3:20 – Our conversation – literally “our citizenship” – is in heaven. We look for the coming of our Lord Jesus, when he comes down from the right hand of God to establish the Kingdom on earth. That is our “true” Independence Day!

Luke 4:16-21; Matthew 28:18-20 – We are to bring this message of liberty to the nations of the world and set the captives free! We are to bring this independence to the world!

1 Peter 2:9-17

As strangers and aliens abstain from fleshly lust. Be of “excellent” behavior. Our lives should be exemplary! When they behold your good works, they will glorify your Father in heaven (Mt 5:13-16). Submit. Serve. Honor. (1 Timothy 2:1-2 – Pray for those in authority.) We are not to run and hide our light under a bushel, but we are to let it shine.

Philippians 1:12-27 – The Apostle Paul let his light shine in the Roman Empire. Strive together for the faith of the Gospel! (Philippians 4:21-22 – Paul reached Caesar’s household.)

Let your light shine and bring liberty to our nation and the peoples of this world.

The post Independence Day first appeared on Living Hope.

Jesus presented the Almighty God, Yahweh, as our heavenly Father.

Matthew 5:16 Live for the glory of your Father.

5:44-48 Be like your heavenly Father.

6:1-6 Be real with your Father.

6:7-9 Pray to your Father.

6:14 and 15 Forgive like your Father.

6:25-34 Your Father cares for you.

7:7-11 Your Father provides His best for you.

1 John 4:9 and 10; Exodus 34:6 Your Father loves you and shows you His love.

Ephesians 1:4-11; Isaiah 30:18 Your Father chose you and wants you.

Deuteronomy 5:24-27; Hebrews 1:1and 2 Your Father communicates with you.

Deuteronomy 4:7 and 8; Psalm 139:6-13; John 14:16 Your Father is always with you.

Psalm 34:15; 1 Peter 3:12 Your Father always has His eyes on you, and He listens to you.

1 Peter 3:3-6 Your Father has made provisions for your future.

The post Yahweh, Our Father first appeared on Living Hope.

Matthew 13:11-15 – Jesus did not court the multitudes. If they were not willing to repent and conform, he was not willing to give them the treasures of God’s Word (Matthew 7:6).

Matthew 13:5-8, 18-23 – This parable is about how people respond when hearing the word of the Kingdom.

Matthew 13:24-30, 37-43 – His central point of attention was the age to come. Jesus’ teaching forced people to focus on the coming Kingdom and to conduct their lives accordingly.

Matthew 13:31-32 – Today, the Kingdom of Heaven has little influence on people and the world, but a day is coming when it will influence everyone and everything.

Matthew 13:33 – When Christ returns, the Kingdom of Heaven will also spread through and transform all.

Matthew 13:44 – The Kingdom of Heaven is worth everything.

Matthew 13:45-46 – Our relationship with God is to be central and the priority over everything else.

Matthew 13:47-50 – Jesus did not beat around the bush. He was powerfully direct with intense weightiness when he set before us the event that will happen in the end.

Matthew 25:1-13 – Live as if the Kingdom is coming today.

Matthew 25:14-30 – Steward correctly what God has blessed you with, or you will lose it.

Matthew 25:31-46 – Live lovingly now, and receive the reward in the Kingdom.

The post Kingdom Parables first appeared on Living Hope.