Romans 8:12-17 ~ For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God

Romans 8:12-17

12 So, dear brothers,
 you have no obligations whatever to your old sinful nature to do what it begs you to do. 
13 For if you keep on following it you are lost and will perish, but if through the power of the Holy Spirit you crush it and its evil deeds,
you shall live.

14 For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. 
15 For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall 
back into fear, 
but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry,
 “Abba! Father!” 

16 The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, 17 and if children, then heirs—
heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, 
provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him.


Yesterday we looked at the world's excitement in the Egyptian death mask covering a mummy (a body) with fragments of 80 A.D. Gospel of Mark in the lining of the mummy mask.
Body meets spirit meets eternal.
No archaeological proof will make our faith sure.
Only the eyes of faith, walking in the Spirit of God, make this bodily life eternal.
Father God is the God who would run to us, as we are.


Psalm 103:17-18
From everlasting to everlasting 
the Lord’s love is with those who fear him, 
and his righteousness with their children’s children— 
with those who keep his covenant and remember to obey his precepts.


Tony Evans was on the radio this last week and he said this:
"There is an old saying that Christians don't dance. AND REALLY GOOD CHRISTIANS, REALLY DON'T DANCE!!!"

"There is an old saying that Christians don't drink. AND REALLY GOOD CHRISTIANS, REALLY DON'T DRINK!!!"

The problem is: these are traditions, they have nothing to do with real Spiritual growth where mature Christians follow the freedom in Jesus Christ. These man made traditions aren't even the Law. We make our traditions the Law and the Law kills. Because if you look in the Bible - David danced. And Timothy was urged to take some wine."




Mixing and Mingling

We should wonder at the translations - we have mixed and mingled the passage above. Some is Living Bible and some is English Standard Version. Purists say stick to one version of the Word of God. And yet, Paul said to be all things to all people to bring people in to the knowledge and Love of God the Father!


Is there a cost?



fellow heirs with Christ, 
provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him.

This passage says that following Jesus has some suffering. Yes. Jesus told us we would have troubles. 

Romans 8:12-17  ~ English Standard Version

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




Troubles are a certainty...

2 Corinthians 5:4 ~ New Living Translation
While we live in these earthly bodies, we groan and sigh, but it's not that we want to die and get rid of these bodies that clothe us. Rather, we want to put on our new bodies so that these dying bodies will be swallowed up by ...life.





Jesus is our way, truth, Life.

Hebrews 4:12

For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword,
piercing to        the division of soul and
------------of spirit,
of joints and of marrow,
and discerning the thoughts 
and intentions of the heart.

Making perfect sense of the two parts of Romans 12.

Romans 12:1-21

I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.

Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment,
each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned.




The measure of faith - God - has assigned?


John 10:27-28
My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand.

Mark 16:20
And they went out and preached everywhere, while the Lord worked with them and confirmed the message by accompanying signs.

Hebrews 2:3
How shall we escape if we ignore so great a salvation? This salvation, which was first announced by the Lord, was confirmed to us by those who heard him.





How Serious is the Salvation offered to us in the Death and Life of Jesus Christ the Lord?

Philippians 2:12
Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now,
not only as in my presence but much more in my absence,
work out your own salvation with fear and trembling,


piercing to the division of soul and of spirit,

Luke 2:
34 And Simeon blessed them and said to Mary His mother, "Behold, this Child is appointed for the fall and rise of many in Israel, and for a sign to be opposed-- 35 and a sword will pierce even your own soul-- to the end that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed."


John 19:33-35
33 but coming to Jesus, when they saw that He was already dead, they did not break His legs. 34 But one of the soldiers pierced His side with a spear, and immediately blood and water came out. 35 And he who has seen has testified, and his testimony is true; and he knows that he is telling the truth, so that you also may believe.

No punishment we could ever bear would make us sinless. Only the Grace of Jesus can give us salvation.
No work we could ever accomplish would ever make us sinless. Only the Grace of Jesus can make us righteous in His Name - Jesus Christ the Lord - and His Sacrifice.

Why would we press on when Salvation is assured?
When we know the Love, the amazing and wonderful Love Jesus has for us -
we want all to know how high, how deep, how wide is the Amazing and Individual Love Jesus Christ has for His Beloved - diverse in the Body of Christ - the Fullness of God Loving us.

Father God, in Your Goodness - Press on.
Jesus the Lord, in Your Victory - Call us to You.
Holy Spirit - Dwell with in all who call upon You in sincerity and earnestness.
Grace of God - Go forth with us to do Your good Will and fill us and our loved ones with the Glory of Your Love.
In Jesus we call upon the Highest name of Love. Amen.

Thank You, Jesus Christ Our LORD!

♔ Lord Jesus Saves †

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