Paraphrased
Continued from page 2
Now we, beloved, are the children of promise like Isaac, who was born after the spirit and was persecuted by he that was born after the flesh, as is still going on now. What does scripture teach? Cast out the bond woman and her son; because the heir of the bond woman will not be heir with the sons of the free woman. 4:28-31
Persevere in the freedom that Christ made possible and don't be tangled up again in bondage. See, I, Paul, tell you that IF you believe you must be circumcised then you've gained nothing by Christ's death.
| Note: If you could be saved by obedience to the law, Christ wouldn't have had do die on the cross for you. |
I say again, every man who believes in circumcision is in debt to the whole law. Christ's death doesn't benefit any who are justified by the law and you are fallen from grace. We through the spirit wait for hope of justification by faith, because in faith there is neither circumcision nor uncircumcision, only faith which WORKS BY LOVE. 5:1-6
You were making progress on the right road even though hindered by false teachers attempting to cause you to disobey the truth. This power of persuasion doesn't come from Jesus. One rotten apple spoils the whole barrel. Because of my faith in Jesus, I'm confident that you will see the truth and false teachers will bear their own judgment, whoever they are. And, I, Brothers and Sisters, if I preach the same false doctrine, I'm persecuted for not doing so, then all the arguments surrounding Christ's sacrifice would no longer exist. I wish they'd cease troubling you. Because you've been called to freedom, however, DO NOT use your freedom to selfish ends but rather to serve one another by your LOVE. All the law is fulfilled in one word, LOVE. That you should love your neighbor as yourself [will cause you to fulfill all the commandments]. If you bite and devour one another becareful that you don't consume one another. James 3:13-16 5:7-15
Walk in the spirit and you will not fulfill the lust of the flesh. (Note this is a statement of fact). The flesh and the spirit are constantly warring and can cause you to be unable to do as you should, however, if you are led by the spirit you are not under the law. Romans 8:14. Works of the flesh manifest themselves as:
- Adultry-against God or your spouse
- Fornication-sexual deviations of all kinds
- Uncleanness-impure or demonic behavior
- Lascivious-licentiousness, immoral
- Idolatry-besides meaning the worship of idols it can also mean stubbornness against the God
- Witchcraft-any type of sorcery, including the worship of stars, worship of anything or attributing power to anything other than God
- Hatred-deep passions always lead to more ungodly behavior
- Variance-strife, arguing, fighting
- Emulations-jealous, wrath, fierce anger without just cause
- Seditions-cause divisions
- Heresies-believing anything other than the teachings of Jesus
- Envying
- Shedding innocent blood
- Drunkenness
- Revelings
If you are manifesting any of these fleshly attributes then you are not walking in the spirit and will not inherit the Kingdom of God. On the other hand if you are manifesting:
- love
- Joy
- Peace
- longsuffering-patience
- gentleness-kindness
- goodness-virtue
- faith-truthfulness
- meekness-subjection to God and those in authority over you
- temperance-self-control
Then you are walking in the spirit and against those who walk in the spirit there is no law. Those that are Christ's have crucified the passions of their faith. If we live in the spirit then let us manifest that in our walk in the spirit. Let's not desire vainglory, provoke one another, or envy each other. 5:16-26
Brothers and Sisters, If a man falls into temptation, you who are led by the spirit, try to strengthen his walk, in the spirit, with subjections, rather than power of control, considering your own weakness and susceptibility. Bear one anothers burdens and thereby fulfill the law of Christ. If a man thinks he is superior he is actually inferior and deceives only himself. Let every man put his own behavior to the test, for himself, alone and he will be able to rejoice in himself, alone, and not rely on others for confidence. For every man will bear his own burdens. Let him that is taught in the gospel (Good News) share with others that teach good things. 6:1-6
Don't be deceived, God will not be ridiculed, whatever a man sows he will reap. He who sows in the flesh will reap corruption; but he that sows to the spirit will reap life everlasting. don't be weary of well doing because in due season we will reap, if we don't loose hope. When the opportunity presence itself let us do good, to ALL men, especially those who are of the HOUSEHOLD OF FAITH. See what a long letter I've written to you with my own hand? Many desire to make a good appearance, due to their fleshly nature, and hold you back by using legalism, they wish to avoid suffering persecution as one who believes in Jesus Chris's sacrifice. Even those who believe circumcision don't obey the who law but desire that you obey the law so they can boast that you've conformed to their beliefs. God forbid that I should boast, except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ. For in Jesus neither legality nor freedom avails anything, only the new creature (brought to the knowledge of the one true God). As many as walk according to this rule form the whole church of God and may God's mercy and peace be upon them. From now on no man should question my authority as an apostle of the truth for I bear the mark of the Lord Jesus servant. Brothers and Sisters, the LOVE of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. So be it.
Paul,
An Apostle
(not of men, neither by men, but by Jesus Christ and God the Father who raised him from the dead).
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