
Ministry Essential in Bringing Healing to the Hurting
Did Jesus Come to Attack Fallen Mankind?
“This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to SAVE (rescue) sinners; of whom I am chief.” 1 Timothy 1:15
WHAT did Christ come into this fallen world to do?
Christ chose to come and die for us rather than live without us.
Let’s reckon with the fact that we are not geniuses for seeing the sin in others in this fallen world. It’s universal, it’s everywhere and yet, let us ask ourselves: WHY O WHY did Jesus come and die on that cross?
What did Jesus do when He saw sin? – He died for it! Christ died to bring those sinners (us) back to Himself. Now, let us ask ourselves how we view those currently alienated from God for their sin?
Perhaps when we begin to realize that our own sin is the sin that should concern us the most, this will being the transformation of our disposition (Matthew 7:1-5; Galatians 6:1-2, etc.).
God has been infinitely merciful to us and expects us to return that blessed, undeserved divine mercy on others, amen? (Matthew 10:8; Ephesians 4:32)
Memory Verse:
“And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.” Ephesians 4:32
HE forgave you so you can help others be forgiven (Matthew 5:7; 10:8).
“Freely ye have received, freely give.” Matthew 10:8
We should cease ministering to others until we can do it out of absolute concern and love for those we are privileged to minister to in the wisdom of Christ (Galatians 6:1-2; Colossians 3:16-17; 2 Timothy 2:24-26).
“LOVE MERCY” is a divine command (Micah 6:8). Love Mercy [podcast]
DO you love the truth? Today, let us LOVE the truth about God’s MERCY! Truth Lovers who Lack Mercy [podcast]
When He “gave himself a ransom for all,” were our Savior’s hands clinched IN ANGER or were they open WITH DIVINE COMPASSION when nailed to that cross for our sins? (1 Timothy 2:4-6) The open hands of Jesus ON THAT CROSS signified His welcome, His love, his compassion, his mercy, and his willingness and joy to die to reconcile men to God – “for the joy that was set before Him.” (Hebrews 12:1-2)
Visiting a Hospital
What would you think if you walked into a medical care facility and you were attacked by the staff? Would their attack facilitate your healing?
When a sick, an ailing, hurting patient enters a hospital, are they met with those who care and tend to their health, to make their state better? Or, are they attacked by the nurses and doctors as they enter the medical facility?
“Administer” is defined in the Webster’s 1828 Dictionary this way:
“To act as minister or chief agent … To dispense, as to administer … To afford, give or furnish; as, to administer relief, that is, to act as the agent. To administer medicine is to direct and cause it to be taken. To give … To contribute; to bring aid or supplies; to add something; as, a shade administers to our comfort.”
WHEN the body of Christ ad-ministers the truth of God, may it be in His wisdom and love …. just as a mother tends to her beloved child in a time of sickness, nurturing and nourishing them to health. Good nurses administer medicines, etc. with great desire to see healing in their patients. They administer what is needed to bring healing to their patients. Surely they aren’t rudely shoving needles in people with a furious countenance, right? Picture that for a moment. How long would that nurse have her job?
The Ministry of the Holy Spirit Through His Body to the Saved and the Lost
“If thou put the brethren in remembrance of these things, thou shalt be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished up in the words of faith and of good doctrine, whereunto thou hast attained.” 1 Timothy 4:6
Have we asked God to grant us an heart of flesh, a heart that desires to see people reconciled to Him? Have we, His children, not been given by God “the ministry of reconciliation”?
“And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;” 2 Corinthians 5:18
EVER BEEN THERE? There are times when we are to “earnestly contend for the faith once delivered to the saints” and other times when the enemy is trying to get us to take the bait, to bite on something minor and not be quiet, listen, and meekly minister the Word and love of God (Jude 3-4; Ephesians 4:15; 2 Timothy 2:24-26). May God bless each of His children to be led by His Holy Spirit in each instant and glorify Him, in Jesus’ name. Amen.
God has chosen to use His saints to minister to each other and to a lost world of sinners He desires to be saved.
“That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; 15 But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: 16 From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.” Ephesians 4:14-16
Sons of Thunder
We learn from how Jesus taught His original disciples. When some had rejected Christ, His disciples desired to call down fire, judgment upon them.
“And when his disciples James and John saw this, they said, Lord, wilt thou that we command fire to come down from heaven, and consume them, even as Elias did? 55 But he turned, and rebuked them, and said, Ye know not what manner of spirit ye are of. 56 For the Son of man is not come to destroy men’s lives, but to save them. And they went to another village.” Luke 9:54-56
Shall we begin today, asking our Father to grant us a tender heart towards others?
When He grants us His desire for us, an heart of flesh, will we not then administer and not attack?
Jesus came to bring peace between fallen man and God (Colossians 1:20).
“Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you.” John 20:21
Lost souls, groping in darkness, cannot possibly find God by themselves. They must be found of Him, by Him. They cannot possibly receive divine ministry from other lost souls. No, as far as instruments of God’s love, fallen mankind is exclusively dependent upon God’s people administering the reconciling truth of His blessed Gospel!
When faced with unbelief and an attack, what is the proper godly response? To attack? No. How about lovingly sharing a verse of Scripture?
When on the topic of the Bible itself, when doubt is cast upon it, I sense the Holy Ghost quickening my spirit to simply administer His truth because that person only believes the lie due to a lack of hearing the truth. Selah saints! So, lovingly communicating the divine words of 2 Timothy 3:16 and 2 Peter 1:20-21 flows and the effect on the hearer is nearly always visible. The seed of God’s Word is being planted, sown in the hearts of the hearers and we know God’s Word is the healing agent needed and never returns to Him void but rather always accomplishes His will, amen?
“So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.” Isaiah 55:11
Let us remember saints that we cannot talk anyone into being saved. We cannot argue them into salvation, nor can we make that decision for them. We are seed sowers and it’s God Himself who convicts and draws men to Himself.
“I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase. 7 So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase. 8 Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labour. 9 For we are labourers together with God: ye are God’s husbandry, ye are God’s building.” 1 Corinthians 3:6-9
This loving administration of the truth of God, with deep concern for the hearer, is in contrast with self-righteously attacking people with God’s Word… which was never done by Christ or His holy apostles or the early church. Jesus was “moved WITH COMPASSION” on the lost (Matthew 9:35-38). What moves us as we reach out to those yet without the Great Shepherd?
“Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, 21 Make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is wellpleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.” Hebrews 13:20-21
We can easily win an argument and lose a soul. May God bless His children with an excellent spirit, a winsome disposition, and the deep desire to see men reconciled to God.
TODAY, your calling from God is to elevate Jesus and others, and deny self (Philippians 2:3-5).
When the cross is working in our lives, it will crucify all God-less attitudes and instill in us the very “mind of Christ.” (Philippians 2:3-5)
“The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that WINNETH souls is wise.” Proverbs 11:30
We must never have the ungodly “Well, I told them!” attitude. As we leave a conversation, let us be quickened to lift that beloved soul up to the LORD in prayer. Remember, they live in this fallen world just as we do saints and are therefore subject to the same evil spirits that seek to deceive and damn every human soul. Winning a soul over to GOD’s truth is done carefully and with God’s love.
How are we viewing struggling, weak, fallen saints and lost sinners? Are we presently possessed with the heart of God, with His stated perspective towards them – his desire to save, to forgive, to restore them?
Think with me for a moment … When looking down from Heaven upon fallen mankind, did our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ, the eternal Word look scornfully upon fallen mankind (us)? No. They looked lovingly AND they are “Holy, holy, holy.” (Isaiah 6:3; Revelation 4:8) Whew! Selah!
“For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. 7 For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die. 8 But God commendeth (displayed, exhibited) his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:6-8
The Wisdom of God in His Saints
“But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy. 18 And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace.” James 3:17-18
PRAYER: Heavenly Father, in the name of Jesus Christ, I come to You now. While I was yet alienated from You in my sinful state, You sent Your only begotten Son to come and die for my wretched, rebellious soul. I deserved nothing but Your rejected and damnation for my sins. While I shook my fist in Your holy face, You loved me to life by crucifying Your only begotten Son on that cross for me. You raised Him again from the dead to justify this sinner in Your holy sight. Father, please, right now, rebuke my hardened heart and ruthless attitude. Please cleanse the evil from my heart dear Father. Please, grant this vessel to be possessed with an heart of flesh LORD Jesus and to minister the victory of Your healing to Your people and the lost souls of this world! Fill this heart with Your love, Your compassion, and Your perfect wisdom. Please open doors for Your beautiful Word of love, the Good News of Your Son to be administered through this life You gave. Please use me Jesus! In the name of Jesus Christ I ask You LORD.
Approaching Sinners with Compassion [podcast] | Evangelism | God of Restoration | Angry Street Preacher Warning
The Christian life will not work without the power generator of the cross. Let the addiction begin – as the resurrection life of Christ fills, teems in, and works through His crucified saints! (2 Corinthians 4:10-12) Are you ready to exchange your sin, guilt, misery, and shame for Christ’s resurrection life? Cross – Resurrection Gospel Life
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Abiding
“Buried with Him by Baptism into Death” [podcast]

“For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.” Colossians 3:3
Every person “hid with Christ in God” is saved and under divine grace, saved by Christ.
Everyone not “hid with Christ in God” is going away in judgment (Colossians 3:3; Romans 8:13; Galatians 5:19-21, 24). When we are “hid with Christ in God,” we are safe, secure, and under the blessings of His divine grace instead of His condemnation.
“Of the doctrine of baptisms” Hebrews 6:2
Baptized into Jesus Christ and Baptized into His Death
“Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?” Romans 6:3
Jesus defeated death, hell, sin, and satan by dying (Hebrews 2:14)…. whereby He was then resurrected and redemption was completed. Redemption culminated, was finalized in the resurrection of Christ.
In the same way, God calls us to die downward with Christ so that He can raise us upward into His victory…. letting go and letting God, not a striving or struggle but rather a surrender, we are to let Christ consume us, as we surrender (John 3:30).
“And when Jesus had cried with a loud voice, he said, Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit: and having said thus, he gave up the ghost.” Luke 23:46
Are we willing to declare today to declare with our LORD Jesus that we are submitting our spirit into His holy hands?
“death is swallowed up in victory” – death results in God raising us upward, into His full victory, ultimately into final, eternal victory, glory with the Father, Son, and the saints of the ages.
We can be sure, completely confident that as we die downward and are buried with Christ, God is going to raise us up into His victory God’s answer to death and burial is resurrection.
The resurrection is the victory and in order to experience His resurrection life, we must be dead and buried and ultimately raised up into eternal glory with Him.
“Thou fool, that which thou sowest (plant downward) is not quickened (made alive), except it die:” 1 Corinthians 15:36
“So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.” 1 Corinthians 15:54
Romans 6
“Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?
4 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.
5 For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection:
6 Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.
7 For he that is dead is freed from sin.
8 Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him:
v3 – “baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death”
v4 – “buried with him by baptism into death”
v5 – “his death … his resurrection”
Notice that death and buried, being immersed into the death and burial of Christ must of necessity precede, must come before the resurrection we experience with Christ through the daily cross life.
“If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.
2 Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.
3 For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.
4 When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.” Colossians 3:1-4
When He saves us we are baptized with Him “into his death” …. “I am crucified with Christ” (Galatians 2:20)
“When a person is saved, he is baptized into Christ Jesus in the sense that he is identified with Christ in His death and resurrection. This is not the same as the baptism in (or of) the Spirit, though both occur simultaneously. The latter baptism places the believer in the body of Christ (1Co_12:13); it is not a baptism into death. The baptism into Christ means that in the reckoning of God, the believer has died with Christ and has risen with Him.
When Paul speaks of baptism here, he is thinking both of our spiritual identification with Christ and of its portrayal in water baptism. But as the argument advances, he seems to shift his emphasis in a special way to water baptism as he reminds his readers how they were “buried” and “planted together” in the “likeness” of Christ’s death.
The NT never contemplates the abnormal situation of an unbaptized believer. It assumes that those who are converted submit to baptism right away. Thus our Lord could speak of faith and baptism in the same breath: “he who believes and is baptized will be saved” (Mrk_16:16). Though baptism is not a requirement for salvation, it should be the invariable public sign of it.” Believer’s Bible Commentary
Baptized into the body of Christ
“For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.” 1 Corinthians 12:13
“1 Corinthians 12:13
For by one Spirit are we all baptized, etc. – As the body of man, though composed of many members, is informed and influenced by one soul; so the Church of Christ, which is his body, though composed of many members, is informed and influenced by one Spirit, the Holy Ghost; actuating and working by his spiritual body, as the human soul does in the body of man.
To drink into one Spirit – We are to understand being made partakers of the gifts and graces of the Holy Ghost agreeably to the words of our Lord, Jhn_7:37, etc.: If any man thirst, let him come unto me and drink: this he spake of the Spirit which they that believed on him should receive.
On this verse there is a great profusion of various readings, which may be found in Griesbach, but cannot be conveniently noticed here.” Adam Clarke
“Baptism is more than just getting wet! When we go down into the water it signifies we are now dead and buried and our “life is hid with Christ in God.” Col 3:3. Coming up out of the water is our resurrection life! We are then raised up into newness of life! Our old man is crucified and we no longer serve sin but we have a new Master! Jesus Christ is the new Master of our lives! We now serve God and not sin. And should be bearing fruit of rightness and holiness! Romans 6. When we embrace the crucified life we are given overflowing rivers of new life! New life is breathed into us. Walking in the flesh only makes our soul sick with sin! And sin kills and destroys! (Romans 6:23). Rotting us from the inside out! But the way of the cross brings life to our flesh! (Proverbs 3:8, 4:22). Our flesh meaning our whole spirit, soul and body. 1 Thessalonians 5:23. We cannot be a whole person until we are completely given over to the Lord! And this can only happen through the cross. When we are dead and buried and raised up in the newness of life Jesus offers us! Then the joy of the Lord will fill our hearts!” Karen Cochran
What some don’t realize is that just because they were saved in the past in no way means they are still in Christ. This is why we read things like this throughout Scripture:
“Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?” 2 Corinthians 13:5
We must judge ourselves against God’s Word.
“For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged. 32 But when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world.” 1 Corinthians 11:31-32
Prayer: Father please penetrate my heart with Your holy conviction, granting true repentance and obedience. LORD, I want to be dead and buried with You. I am crucified with Christ and I know You are raising me up and will ultimately raise me up with You into eternal glory… I am not planted together in the likeness of His death and burial and I know You are raising me up into the victory. In Jesus’ name, amen.
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Articles
Are You a Follower of Jesus and Considering Moving to Mexico? [podcast]

Could the LORD be shaking off the dust of His holy feet against America?
“And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear your words, when ye depart out of that house or city, shake off the dust of your feet.” Matthew 10:14
HAPPENING NOW:
Just handed a tract to a man named Ruben. He said “Thank you. I’ve been searching and was thinking of visiting the JW (Jehovah Witness) church near me. Thank you.” Then a conversation ensued. He was informed that that JW and Mormons are cults. Ruben was given the law to convict, and saving Gospel, and exhorted to pray in repentance today and receive Jesus for the remission of his sins. He was told by way of testimony and the Word that Jesus is exactly Who he was looking for.
We exchanged numbers and will be meeting again soon. Please pray for this man. He’s in ripe mode if you will….. ready to repent and receive Jesus, Heaven’s Treasure, Salvation! Would you like to pause and lift Ruben in prayer?
*** Saints, as your brother in Christ, let me encourage you to dare pray something like this today if you are inclined: “Dear LORD, I am all Yours. You created me. You came and died for me. I am Yours. Please put me on Your planet, just exactly where You want me, and use me dear LORD! In Jesus’ name. Amen.”
Saints the JW and Mormon cults are here in Mexico. There are few if any Christian missionaries. “The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few.”
“And Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people. 36 But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd. 37 Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few; 38 Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest.” Matthew 9:35-38
I don’t believe any American would regret moving to this great country. The peace and tranquility are off the charts. If you need someone to talk to, let me know.
One thing is certain, you will be immediately spoiled by the preciousness of the Mexican people and their acceptance of the message of Christ! You will minister to no one who won’t say “gracias.”
Are you printing out your supply of JESUS tracts to pass out daily? Never leave home without your supply of the Gospel of Jesus to share with others. Download Jesus tract PDF with one click here – English and Spanish
“Love this Jesus Tract! The other day, at the home we minister in (retirement home), Tom asked me to read this to the people as they usually follow along. Half way through it the reality of what Jesus did for me and all of us, on the cross hit me and the tears began to stream down my face. I could no longer read it. This tract is so filled with the truth and how much God loves us, even in spite of how wicked we are, how could anyone not be convicted?” Karen Cochran
“As this sanctification process happens in our hearts we will see more and more of Christ’s light shining in our hearts. Proverbs 4:18: “But the path of the just is the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day.” As we surrender daily, as we die to ourselves, as we die downward and are buried with Christ, Jesus’ resurrection life (newness of life) will shine brighter and brighter in our hearts! Until that perfect day when we shall be taken up into glory to be with our Savior forever. Then God’s glory will fill our hearts and the heavens! Until now let the Daystar arise in our hearts each day so His light can shine forth into this lost world. We are to be the light shining Christ’s light into this broken and dark world! Jesus alone is the Answer! His resurrection light! Glory hallelujah!” Karen Cochran
FEEDBACK
Francisco repented and received Jesus! As our LORD would have it, our paths crossed by divine ordination. Francisco was preached to and gladly received a Jesus tract. Upon showing him the prayer of repentance and faith on the back, he immediately raised his hands to pray. It caught me off guard, in a good way, and so he was instructed to pray in repentance and faith… as he was led, and he did, out loud, acknowledging that he has sinned against God and then calling on our LORD Jesus to forgive, save, wash away his sin.
“That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. 10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. 11 For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. … 13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” Romans 10:9-13
Beloved Francisco was showed and encouraged to download the Reina Valera Spanish Bible onto his devices and wake up to seeking God in His Word and prayer first thing each morning (Matthew 6:33). He was given the idea also of reading the Proverb of the day each morning.
This continues to happen here with these precious people. They are so hungry for Christ and only need someone to show, to lead them to Him. Several times when instructed to go home and pray in repentance and faith, they overtly lift their hands and hearts and begin praying right on the spot – which demonstrates that they’d been waiting eagerly to hear the message of Christ’s Gospel!
“HOW shall they hear without a preacher?” Romans 10:14
Ensuing his repentance toward God and faith toward our LORD Jesus (Acts 20:21), the discipleship began. We’ve already been communicating and he’s got the Born Again book in Spanish with three more of the ministry books which will be sent to him this week.
The life being lived with any other purpose except to please God and serve others, is a wasted, hell bound life.
“So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom.” Psalms 90:12
“Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.” Ephesians 5:16
Remember, flights back and forth from Texas to Mexico are only a 2-3 hour flight.
The Great Commission Jesus Gave Us
Spanish Content on SafeGuardYourSoul
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Articles
Is Romans 7 Before or After Paul’s Salvation?

“The truth is that while Christ dwells in the believer’s new nature, He has strong competition from the believer’s old nature. The warfare between the old and the new goes on continually in most believers.” AW Tozer
The law of God is “holy, and just, and good.” (Romans 7:12)
The holy law of God and the depraved nature of fallen mankind could not be further apart – the righteousness of God inherent in His law vs the “old man,” the iniquitous fallen nature of mankind (Ephesians 4:22; Colossians 3:9).
Nothing but a caustic reaction, explosion could be the result of the 2 colliding (Romans 7). One or the other must reign.
“For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.” Galatians 5:17
In what tense did the great apostle speak in when addressing this “old man” that wars against the Spirit in us?
“O WRETCHed man that I am! (presently) who shall deliver me from the body of this death?” Romans 7:24
Paul’s flesh was and our flesh is a constant reminder of the ever momentary need for the cross, burial, and resurrection grace of Jesus (Romans 6:3-10; 8:11; 2 Corinthians 4:10-12; Galatians 2:20, etc.). Read Romans chapters 6-7 each morning this week.
“For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not.” Romans 7:18
No, the apostle wasn’t admitting to living in sin but rather that that “old man” – the flesh – was present and must be crucified with Christ daily. Is that not exactly what Jesus taught?
“And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his CROSS DAILY, and follow me. 24 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it.” Luke 9:23-24
I believe Romans 7 applies to both before and after one is saved …. Because if the saved person departs from the daily cross walk, that same “old man” will take center stage. “O wretch man that I AM (present)” (Romans 7:18) ….. we are born again children of God, saints of the Most High and yet that potential to evil, that “old man” must be crucified and “put off” by the daily cross so the “new man” can reign with Christ in this life and eternity. What Paul calls the “old man” must be “put off” and so we can conclude that there IS an “old man” to be “put off” otherwise no such instruction would have been given. We are not to deny the “old man” – the sinful bent – but rather to crucify it (Romans 6; Ephesians 4:22; Colossians 3:9).
Charles Pray writes: “So many want to hide their sins, especially those who like to appear Holy on the outside while inside they are dark, unholy ministers of the flesh. They have become a product of their own desires. Dear Lord, please bring them back to their first Love–Jesus! Amen.”
Saints, we cannot possibly begin to appreciate this “so great salvation” that is Christ until we understand how lost, helpless, and alienated we were in our sin (Ephesians 2:1-10; Hebrews 2:3). We must study to understand the biblical doctrine of inherent sin, fallen mankind, and the holiness of God …. in order to begin to be able to appreciate the redemption that is in Jesus Christ.
What to “Put Off” and What to “Put On”
“That ye put off concerning the former conversation THE OLD MAN, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; 23 And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; 24 And that ye put on THE NEW MAN, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.” Ephesians 4:22-24
“Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off THE OLD MAN with his deeds; 10 And have put on THE NEW MAN, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him:” Colossians 3:9-10
“When we embrace the crucified life we are given overflowing rivers of new life! New life is breathed into us. Walking in the flesh only makes our soul sick with sin! And sin kills and destroys! (Romans 6:23). Rotting us from the inside out! But the way of the cross brings life to our flesh! (Proverbs 3:8, 4:22). Our flesh meaning our whole spirit, soul and body. 1 Thessalonians 5:23. We cannot be a whole person until we are completely given over to the Lord! And this can only happen through the cross. When we are dead and buried and raised up in the newness of life Jesus offers us, then the joy of the Lord will fill our hearts!” Karen Cochran
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