Romans 6 Narrated [below]

Denouncing all Glorying in Fleshly Affinities

“But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world.” Galatians 6:14

“6:14 Paul’s ground for boasting is not in the flesh of men, but in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ. On that cross the world died to Paul and Paul to the world. When a man is saved, the world says goodbye to him, and he says goodbye to the world. He is spoiled as far as the world is concerned because he is no longer interested in its fleeting pleasures; the world has lost its attraction for him, because he has found One who completely satisfies. Findlay says: ‘He can never believe in it, never take pride in it, nor do homage to it any more. It is stripped of its glory and robbed of its power to charm or govern him.’ Thus the cross is a great barrier or dividing line between the world and the child of God.” Believer’s Bible Commentary

“For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified.” 1 Corinthians 2:2

True New Testament saints keep Jesus! He alone is their “first love” (Revelation 2:4-5). Jesus is the Sabbath rest of all who are known of Him (Hebrews 4). Christ alone is their only righteousness. No flesh can say “I’ve kept the law perfectly” and therefore all flesh is guilty of breaking the whole law (James 2:10). No flesh can glory in self or the law which condemns each and every one of us. This is why the self-proclaimed law-keepers, the Torah keepers are unsaved – because not one of us has done what only Christ could and did do – and that is keep the law perfectly. At His crucifixion, Jesus nailed the law to the cross, He removed it, He took it away and replaced it with the “glorious” Gospel. Read 2 Corinthians 3. The word “glorious” appears 4 times concerning, contrasting the exceeding glory that is in Christ and His bless-ed Gospel as opposed to what it replaced. Also read Hebrews 8-10 which contrasts the 2 covenants.

“As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one.” Romans 3:10

As I’ve discussed the things of Christ’s kingdom with Hebrew Roots type followers, I’ve beckoned some of them to leave all that behind due to there being no value in clinging to the Hebraic base and that such is actually dangerous. Personally, I’ve never seen a Hebrew Roots type pastor or church that didn’t seek to bring people back under the law, back under law-keeping for righteousness. They are usually intentionally subtle about this. They will pay lip service to being born again, saved by grace, Holy Spirit led, yet they seduce the saints back to “keeping Torah” as they put it. But Scripture says:

“There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. 2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus (which superseded the law of Moses) hath made me free from the law of sin and death. 3 For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: 4 That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.” Romans 8:1-4

“And by him all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses.” Acts 13:39

A reading of 2 Corinthians 3 and Hebrews 8-10 teaches us the truth that Christ’s New Covenant is infinitely superior to “weak and beggarly elements” of the law which put people in “bondage” (Galatians 4:9).

Christ’s apostle Paul denounced his “Jews religion” to know Christ (Galatians 1:13-14). He put it behind him (Philippians 3:13-14).

Till now, I had not thought of or seen Philippians 3  in this light, as it seems to be concerning what Paul was “forgetting.” The context seems to reveal that Paul was forgetting the Jewish form of religion and that such was a necessity to remain in Christ to the end and to be with Christ in eternity.

“For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh. 4 Though I might also have confidence in the flesh. If any other man thinketh that he hath whereof he might trust in the flesh, I more: 5 Circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, an Hebrew of the Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee; 6 Concerning zeal, persecuting the church; touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless. 7 But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. 8 Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, 9 And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith: 10 That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death; 11 If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead. 12  Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. 13 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, 14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 3:3-14 

What was Paul “forgetting”? According to the above text, the context, was he not forgetting the Jews’ religion – putting behind him all involvement with the religion that was now superseded by the coming of Christ and His glorious “better covenant”? Read Hebrews 8:6; 2 Corinthians 3

Paul’s whole motive in this life was to more and more know the LORD, forgetting all that was behind him, including “the Jews’ religion” which he had just openly denounced and counted “but dung, that I may win Christ, And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness” (Galatians 1:13-14; Philippians 3:3-10). This he did to “win Christ” – that is, that he might “be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith” … that he “might attain unto the resurrection of the dead.” The apostle was reaching forth to Christ who was set before him, pressing toward that finish line as does the sprinter who exerts his all to successfully finish the race with joy. He wanted nothing drawing him backwards and so openly denounced all trust and the practice of “the Jews’ religion” (Philippians 3:1-10; Galatians 1:13-14).

“In my opinion, Paul was putting behind him all things associated with the Old Covenant for the New Covenant.” Gary Blevins

In another place the apostle wrote the following:

“For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. 7 I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: 8 Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.” 2 Timothy 4:6-8 

Christ’s disciples are not to over aggrandize any mere man.

“And these things, brethren, I have in a figure transferred to myself and to Apollos for your sakes; that ye might learn in us not to think of men above that which is written, that no one of you be puffed up for one against another.” 1 Corinthians 4:6

How shall our hearts be cleared, how shall we truly be given to Christ, if we don’t rid, clear our hearts of all idols? God will not hear the prayer of the idolater. Read this:

“Son of man, these men have set up their idols in their heart, and put the stumblingblock of their iniquity before their face: should I be enquired of at all by them?” Ezekiel 14:3

Denouncing the Evil – Including all Spiritual Adultery, all Idolatry

“Therefore seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not; 2 But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God.” 2 Corinthians 4:1-2   

Please allow me here to exhort you to denounce all human “mentors” and declare before our God that Jesus Christ is your Mediator, LORD, Master, and Mentor and no other, and thank Him for the 40 “holy men of God” He used to pen His Word (2 Peter 1:20-21).

When sought to be worshiped or more highly esteemed than that which is fitting toward and written concerning mere men, here’s how the holy apostles of Christ responded:

“Which when the apostles, Barnabas and Paul, heard of, they rent their clothes, and ran in among the people, crying out, 15 And saying, Sirs, why do ye these things? We also are men of like passions with you, and preach unto you that ye should turn from these vanities unto the living God, which made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all things that are therein:” (See whole context: Acts 14:8-18)

“That no flesh should glory in his presence. 30 But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption: 31 That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord. 1  And I, brethren, when I came to you, came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom, declaring unto you the testimony of God. 2 For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified. 3 And I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling. 4 And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man’s wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power: 5 That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.” 1 Corinthians 1:29-2:5

“Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think any thing as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God;” 2 Corinthians 3:5

“For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus’ sake. 6 For GOD (not man), who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.” 2 Corinthians 4:5-6

Yes God places men, elders in our lives and yet whatever they have that is good, comes straight and only from God – no different than when Jesus handed the bread and fish to the disciples and they merely spread that divine wealth to the people.

“For who maketh thee to differ from another? and what hast thou that thou didst not receive? now if thou didst receive it, why dost thou glory, as if thou hadst not received it?” 1 Corinthians 4:7

“Give Us a King!” [podcast]

“Give us a King.” 1 Samuel 8:6 As it was at the tower of Babel where fallen mankind sought to have their own way, do their own thing without God, independent of their Maker, so it is today (Genesis 11). Nimrod, an antichrist, ruled over them. Then when there was no king, anarchy reigned. “In those days there was no king in Israel, but every man did that which was right in his own eyes.” Judges 17:6  Yet when the people wanted anarchy gone, instead of seeking the LORD, they raised up mere sinful men and yet, mankind is fallen. The final example […]

With no exception, “EVERY good and EVERY perfect gift” comes from the LORD, not man.

“Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.” James 1:17

The gifts God has given us are to be utilized solely to magnify Christ and never to garner attention toward ourselves.

“As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. 11 If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.” 1 Peter 4:10-11

“And Jesus took the loaves; and when he had given thanks, he distributed to the disciples, and the disciples to them that were set down; and likewise of the fishes as much as they would.” John 6:11

So, can we observe that ministry is primarily God’s people receiving His hot bread from Heaven, even the revelation of Christ, the Bread of life, and handing it out to the people?

“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

“Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.” 2 Corinthians 7:1

PRAYER: Holy Father, please forgive my sins, all of them. I turn afresh to Thee dear LORD and ask You to purge this Your vessel to the very depth of my being. Please gracious Father, have mercy on me and do Your deeper work. May this heart be broken, contrite, and pliable to You LORD. May all glory ascend unto You LORD Jesus from this moment forward and forever more. I love You Jesus. You alone are my all in all. Without You I am nothing and can do nothing. Now please fill and use me LORD, anoint this disciple to be truly crucified with Christ. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

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