What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein? Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? 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. ~ Romans 6:1-4

According to the Holy Spirit, we are not to continue in sin so that grace may abound. God forbids such thinking, believing, and living. The Holy Spirit’s question to me is this: How shall I (put your name here) whom He has caused to be dead to sin through faith in Jesus, live any longer in sin?

The Holy Spirit wants me to know (to understand and grasp) that all who are baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death.

The Holy Spirit wants me to know (understand and grasp) the power of the death of Jesus and how Christ’s death should affect how I live. Thus the work of Christ at the cross and the work of the Holy Spirit in my heart and life are inseparable. If I don’t live according to this rule (this truth, this principle), I am not being guided by the Spirit but by my own carnality. Christ died for my sins so that the Spirit may dwell in my heart and my life glorify God through Christ Jesus.

According to the Holy Spirit, I (my old man, the power of sin that once controlled me) is buried with Christ by baptism into death and just as Jesus was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, I am to walk in the newness of life. This is what the Holy Spirit is in my life to empower to happen.

I recently began an exercise that has helped me settle my mind in some of the struggles I have. The scriptures are inspired by God, and the truth in scripture as it pertains to our relationship with God is the voice of God’s Holy Spirit. In Acts, Peter says, “the Holy Spirit said through the mouth of David” in reference to what is written and says something similar about the message of the prophets.

This has been especially beneficial to me as I read texts like Romans 6, where I can say with confidence that the Holy Spirit says I am dead with Christ, and I am baptized into Christ’s death, and that I am a servant of righteousness, and alive to God through Jesus Christ.

The Holy Spirit, and not man, says those things to me. He says them also to you. It is a very encouraging exercise and has helped me tremendously. I hope you will find the same encouragement as well. 

Simon Peter, a servant and an apostle of Jesus Christ, to them that have obtained like precious faith with us through the righteousness of God and our Savior Jesus Christ… ~ 2 Peter 1:1

I want you to notice Peter’s tone regarding his apostleship. It is secondary to his being a servant of Jesus Christ. Peter places himself on the same level (as a servant) with those to whom he is writing, saying to his audience that they had obtained like precious faith as he and the other believers in Christ had obtained.

As an apostle of Christ, Peter viewed those to whom he was writing as his fellow servants of Christ, and not to subjects spiritually beneath him. Peter had been equipped by Jesus as a witness of authentic ministry of Jesus. As an apostle of Christ, his calling included being an example of servanthood among Christ’s servants to help their devotion to Christ.

In his letter to the Corinthians, Paul declares we don’t have dominion over your faith, but are helpers of your joy: for by faith ye stand. ~ 1 Corinthians 1:24. Other translations render this as “helpers for your joy.” The ministry of the New Testament apostles included that of helping Christ’s servants continue in the joy of their service to Christ, even in difficult times of struggle and persecution.

The Apostles in the New Testament were helpers in Christ’s Kingdom in the service of Jesus Christ, the King. There are far too many in our day who like to call themselves apostles, and they do so because they want to have the preeminence and spiritual authority over the faith of others. This is completely contrary to the ministry of the first century apostles.

These modern day self promoting apostles, and that’s what many of them are, know very little if any, about the true calling of an apostle. The true calling of apostleship is to authenticate Christ’s ministry where Christ has not been preached, and to establish disciples for Christ who will continue in Christ’s service.

This will be very short and to the point.

There is a saying that is often repeated from pulpits. I am sure I have even said it myself in the past, but it is wrong and there is absolutely no truth in it. It is the idea that we can do things that will usher in the second coming of Jesus.

Oftentimes this idea is advanced as a way to get people involved in a certain line of thinking and action, because by doing so they will supposedly be aiding the ushering in of the coming of the Lord, but the reality is there simply is no such concept taught in the New Testament. If there were, the apostles who gave us the New Testament would have accomplished it.

The idea that we can do things that will usher in the coming of the Lord is false and it gives fertile ground to other false teachings. According to the scriptures we are called to live godly and holy lives because the time of the Lord’s coming is to always be viewed as at hand.

We are instructed over and over again in the New Testament to live in a manner that will be pleasing to the Lord when he returns. Throughout the centuries many saints have done just that. This alone refutes the notion that anyone can do anything to usher in the coming of the Lord.

Jesus is coming in the Father’s timing, which he has reserved to himself. 

Recently while on a painting job I let the book of Ecclesiastes play on my Bible app on my phone. Often times people think of this book as depressing (vanity of vanities, vexation of spirit, etc.). However, I believe the point the writer is making is that all the labor an toll of man is meaningless and in vain if we don’t master the one thing he leads us to:

Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter, Fear God, and Keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man. For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil. ~ Ecclesiastes 12:13-14

Everything in this life truly is vain if we do not live with pleasing God as our motivation in life. Without this everything we do is in vain.

Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered; And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him… Hebrews 5:8-9

What is the writer of Hebrews referring to when he says Jesus was made perfect by the things he suffered? Wasn’t Jesus already perfect, being without sin and one with God?

Certainly he was, but the writer of Hebrews is not addressing Jesus’s divine nature and oneness with God when he says Jesus was made perfect by the things he suffered. He is addressing Jesus’s oneness with human suffering and temptation, and if you will really catch on to what the writer of Hebrews is teaching us, your heart will leap with praise at the wondrous Savior God has given to us.

The writer of Hebrews emphasizes the reality of Jesus’s humanity and how Jesus (as a man) obtained an eternal priesthood through the things he suffered. In scripture, both the deity and humanity of Christ are expounded on. In Hebrews 1 the writer of Hebrews refers to Jesus as the One by whom God made the worlds, and the Lord who in the beginning laid the foundation of the earth; and the heavens are the works of his hands.

This very same Son who was with God, and was one with God as creator, is the one who also came and took on humanity in every respect so that he might make perfect reconciliation for our sins.

In chapter 2 the writer of Hebrews says the following:

Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil; And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage. For verily he took not on him the nature of angels; but he took on him the seed of Abraham. Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people.~ Hebrews 2:14-17

His partaking of flesh and blood was in like manner as ourselves so that he could be the perfect intercessor and mediator between an infallible, Holy God, and sinful man. Though Jesus had no sin, he suffered in his flesh by being tempted in every way as we are tempted.

For because he himself has suffered when tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted. ~ Hebrews 2:18

This is specifically what the writer of Hebrews is referring to when he says Jesus was made perfect by the things he suffered. Jesus became acquainted with the depths of human suffering in every respect so that he could be the perfect intercessor. It does not mean that Jesus was not perfect with regards to his divine nature and oneness with God, but was made perfect as the sacrifice and priest we needed from the humanity standpoint.For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need. For every high priest taken from among men is ordained for men in things pertaining to God, that he may offer both gifts and sacrifices for sins: Who can have compassion on the ignorant, and on them that are out of the way; for that he himself also is compassed with infirmity. And by reason hereof he ought, as for the people, so also for himself, to offer for sins. And no man taketh this honour unto himself, but he that is called of God, as was Aaron. So also Christ glorified not himself to be made an high priest; but he that said unto him, Thou art my Son, today have I begotten thee. As he saith also in another place, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec. Who in the days of his flesh, when he had offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto him that was able to save him from death, and was heard in that he feared; Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered; And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him; Called of God an high priest after the order of Melchisedec. Of whom we have many things to say, and hard to be uttered, seeing ye are dull of hearing. ~ Hebrews 4:15-5:11

___________________________________________________________

To learn more about Jesus’s Priesthood after the order of Melchizedek follow the link below:

AFTER THE ORDER OF MELCHISEDEK

Below is some (not all, but some) of what the New Testament has to say about obedience.

According to the apostle Peter, believers were chosen by the foreknowledge of God through the sanctification of the Holy Spirit to be obedient to Jesus Christ and cleansed from sin by his blood. ~ 1 Peter 1:2

God gives the Holy Spirit to those who obey him. ~ Acts 5:32

We are called to the obedience to the faith. ~ Romans 1:5; 16:26

By the obedience of Jesus many are made righteous. ~ Romans 5:19

We are servants to whom we yield our members (our bodies and mind) to obey. Thus we are either servants of sin that leads to death, or servants who obey God which leads to righteousness. ~ Romans 6:16

When we believe the gospel, we obey from the heart the doctrine of God we have heard. ~ Romans 6:17

The gospel is to be obeyed. ~ Romans 10:16; 1 Peter 4:17

We can be bewitched into not obeying the truth. ~ Galatians 3:1; 5:7

We run our race well when we obey the truth. ~ Galatians 5:7

Obedience is how we work out our own salvation with fear and trembling. ~ Philippians 2:12

When Jesus returns he is taking vengeance on them that don’t know God, and who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. ~ 2 Thessalonians 1:8

We are to bring our imaginations and thoughts into obedience to Christ. ~ 2 Corinthians 10:6

Even though Jesus was God’s Son, he learned obedience by the things he suffered. And he was made perfect (through suffering) and has become the author of Salvation to all who obey him. ~ Hebrews 5: 8-9

We purify our souls by obeying the truth through the Holy Spirit which leads to a sincere love for others (our brethren in Christ), and so we are to love one another with a pure heart fervently. ~ 1 Peter 1:22 

I received a comment from a lady named Nancy, and I want to publicly thank her. She graciously commended me for one of my posts and asked  a follow up question. My answer to her question may benefit others so I want to share it with you.

Nancy wrote, Good analysis/synopsis of this insanity. Wanting to ask you about all these sincere people who have claimed to have visited hell and some repeatedly with Jesus. Many claim to have seen Christians in hell. TY

Nancy, thank you for inspiring me. Here is my response to Nancy’s question:

The older I get and the longer I serve Christ, the less I believe any of them because there is nothing new under the Sun.

There are always contradictions against the scriptures that can be found in their testimonies. There is a reason why Paul described his experience as “hearing things that cannot be told, which man may not utter”  ~ 2 Corinthians 12:4. Paul would not even boast in his experience, yet these people use their experiences to promote themselves and to profit.

When Jesus gave the story of the rich man and Lazarus, Jesus said the rich man went to hell and pleaded with Abraham to have mercy. Notice what Abraham said in response regarding the scriptures:

And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame. But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime received thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented. And beside all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed: so that they which would pass from hence to you cannot; neither can they pass to us, that would come from thence. Then he said, I pray thee therefore, father, that thou wouldest send him to my father’s house: For I have five brethren; that he may testify unto them, lest they also come into this place of torment. Abraham saith unto him, They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them. And he said, Nay, father Abraham: but if one went unto them from the dead, they will repent. And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead. ~ Luke 16:24 -31

Moses and the prophets is a reference to the scriptures that resulted from Moses and the ministry of the prophets.

In John 5,  Jesus told the Jews, Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me. And ye will not come to me, that ye might have life. ~ 39-40

Later in the same chapter Jesus told them, Do not think that I will accuse you to the Father: there is one that accuseth you, even Moses, in whom ye trust. For had ye believed Moses, ye would have believed me; for he wrote of me. But if ye believe not his writings, how shall ye believe my words? ~ v. 45-47 

I know of a preacher who claims to have gone to Heaven years ago and in his book about that experience, he claimed that Jesus informed him that he (Jesus) had brought him (the preacher) to heaven to tell him (the preacher) to tell people he (Jesus) was coming again. That was the message he conveyed.

You don’t need a supernatural experience to preach the coming of Jesus, but if Jesus were to give me an experience in Heaven and told me that he had brought me to Heaven to tell people he was coming again, you can believe that I would preach what Jesus had told me to preach more than anything else.

I don’t think I have ever heard this preacher preach on the coming of the Lord even once, Possibly I have heard him say the Lord is coming, but don’t remember ever hearing him emphasize it. Yet his book and testimony about going to heaven has been widely accepted and I am certain, profitable. In fact, I have my suspicions about his testimony for other reasons I won’t go into here. Suffice to say, I find holes in his claims as I do with many others.

Paul told the Colossians, Let no one disqualify you, insisting on ascetic practices and the worship of angels, claiming access to a visionary realm and inflated without cause by his unspiritual mind. ~ Colossians 2:18

The truth is these visionary claims often lead people to elevate the visionary’s words above the teachings of scripture.

Those who claim to have had such visions and experiences appeal to the masses of carnal Christians who often have no depth of spiritual understanding and who are very limited in their true knowledge of the teachings and doctrine of scripture. These visionaries teach and cause gullible believers to be tossed to and fro by every wind of doctrine.

I do believe it’s possible that a person could have an experience in which they had a divine encounter with an angel or a vision of Jesus, but those experiences are sacred and not equal to the authroity of the scriptures. A true experience would cause a person to likely not want to talk much about it because it would be too holy of an experience to just tell anyone. Real experiences that people in the Bible had with angels, or seeing the Glory of God were very sacred.

About 35 years ago, I had a very vivid dream in which I encountered Jesus. When I woke up I was aware of God’s holiness and the fear of the Lord was present. I don’t preach or teach based on that dream and don’t promote my ministry with it. It was a dream and a powerful one to me at the time, but it is not what I am called to preach and teach. I am called to preach and teach the Word of God and walk with Jesus daily. Honestly, that dream adds nothing to my life now, because Jesus is real to me because of the presence of the Holy Spirit who abides within my heart. That dream is not something I use to bring people under a spell to place me on a “spiritual pedestal.” In fact people should be free to judge it by the Word of God if I ever shared it and reject it if they found it wasn’t in line with the sound doctrine of scripture.

My wife can tell you I’m not all that – I’m not some spiritual giant because of a dream I had some 35 years ago.

When Peter described the voice that he and other disciples heard in the mount of transfiguration when they saw Jesus’s glory, he writes,  “Because of that experience, we have even greater confidence in the message proclaimed by the prophets. You must pay close attention to what they wrote, for their words are like a lamp shining in a dark place—until the Day dawns, and Christ the Morning Star shines in your hearts.” ~ 1 Peter 1:19

If anyone’s testimony of visions does not amplify the truth of scripture, and point people to the scriptures, they should not be accepted. Those who preach their visions, and make their visions equal to the scriptures in any manner, have embarked on being false teachers in error, and should be rejected.

______________________________

My article on Kat Kerr which Nancy commented on. This article will show you how to hold visions and experiences accountable to the Word of God

https://rootedandgroundedinchrist.com/2021/01/20/kat-kerr/