|
Read again Ephesians 2:1 (ff) ........we WERE dead through the trespasses and sins (sins = Strong's concordance #266 from 264, missing the mark by constantly violating God's law) following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that IS NOW at work in the the sons of disobedience. Among those we all ONCE lived in the passions of our flesh, following the desires of our mind........
We were called out from bondage to the spirit that STILL works in the children of disobedience. We were each called in our own Order to be delivered from the first Adam and the curse of the law that Adam was in bondage to and commanded to walk under as a result of the ...disruption in the garden. We were given power by grace and faith to accept and follow the Second Adam and come into the law of the spirit of Life in Christ Jesus:
Romans 8:1 There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. Rom 8:2 But the Law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death. Are we too comfortable in our old skin? Will we follow the call or stay in darkness? THIS IS WHAT WE WERE CALLED OUT OF! Paul admonishes to walk worthy of our ..... Calling. (2nd Thes 1:11) Choose Life: Deuteronomy 30:19 I call Heaven and earth to record today against you. I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing. Therefore, choose life, so that both you and your seed may live,
Deu 30:20 so that you may love Jehovah your God, and that you may obey His voice, and that you may cling to Him. For He is your life and the length of your days, so that you may dwell in the land which Jehovah swore to your fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give it to them.
Yes, the wages (or end) of sin is death, BUT: choose Life!
Rom 6:23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
The price was high and has been paid. Now it is our turn to receive the gift of righteousness and work out our own salvation.
What does that mean? Work out my own salvation? Let's take a peek at that word "work." It is a very deep word in the Greek. I am listing a part of it's overall meaning, but, the part that seems to be the heart of the word:
From ergo (a primary but obsolete word; to work); toil (as an effort or occupation); by implication an act: - deed, doing, labour, work.
Also the word "finish" is a big part of this word. I thought my salvation was entirely by grace and a gift? Yes, it is. But like any other life, left unattended it can die. James 2:20 But will you know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?
Our infant gift of saving faith needs food and other necessities to grow and live and to overcome. The "manger" that your gift was born in is populated with animal (desires) that are very strong,much older, and some are wild.
|
