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We are who We are in Christ because of God’s Grace

1 Corinthians 15:10 But, by the grace from God I am who I am. And His grace, the one upon me, will not come to be without results, but I toil more abundantly than all of them. Indeed, not I but the grace from God, the one with me.

Paul received the position of an Apostle because of God’s attitude by which He gives a benefit without consideration of merit (grace). A position that Paul felt he did not deserve because he persecuted the church, yet, God saw fit to place him in it. Understanding this, Paul states that this grace will not come to be without result, for he labored intensely far above the other Apostles. However, Paul does not give himself credit for the toil, for it was not him, but the grace that was with him.

What part of the body did God place you in? All to often we get our minds focused on the things of this world and forget who we are in Christ; forget to see things as they really are. We are who we are in Christ because God chose to give us a benefit without consideration of merit. We did not earn it, but that does not mean we should not use it. Will His grace come to be without result in you? Or will you live a life that glorified Him by showing forth who you are in Christ?

Since you have been raised with Christ, set your mind on the things above where Christ is seated at the right hand of God, not on the things of this earth and put on the new man, the one being renewed unto a full experiential knowledge […]

We are who We are in Christ because of God’s Grace2016-10-12T06:02:47-07:00

A Different Gospel alongside the Gospel of The Christ

1:6 I marvel that thus so quickly you change from the one who called you by the grace of Christ into a different kind of gospel, 1:7 which is not of the same kind, except there are some who trouble you and desire to distort the Gospel of The Christ. 1:8 But even if perhaps we, or a messenger (angel) out from heaven should bring good news to you which is alongside that good news already brought to you, it is to be set aside. 1:9 Just as I before said, and again I say, “If, assuming it is true, someone brings good news to you alongside that which you have received; it is to be set aside. Galatians 1:6-9

Those who seek to distort the Gospel of The Christ do it by bringing a different gospel alongside the true good news.  The preposition used to express how this different gospel, that is not a gospel of the same kind, attempts to manifest itself is “Para”, which means, “from the side of”. It can have the sense of contrary to something; however, it still keeps its main meaning, which is to come alongside. So, rather than directly contradicting, as in a face to face conflict, the gospel message they bring, the ones seeking to distort the Gospel of The Christ, comes alongside the true gospel in an effort to change it into something different.

If perhaps anyone brings you a gospel that is alongside (in a contrary sense) to the gospel which you have already received it is to be set aside (Anathema). Although often translated “accursed”, “anathema” comes from the concept of an item that was set aside for the worship, or use, of a god; […]

A Different Gospel alongside the Gospel of The Christ2012-08-21T05:15:23-07:00

The Mystery of The Christ

The mystery of The Christ is one of the most important revelations given to the Church, mainly because it involves not only how to be saved, but also how we are to live out our salvation.

In Ephesians 3:3 and 4, Paul writes about this mystery that was given to him by a revelation from God. As the steward of the dispensation of grace, God gave Paul instructions concerning how the household of grace is to live, Ephesians 3:2. These instructions are given in the revelation of this mystery. Paul writes concerning the mystery of the Christ so that we can understand what his insight is.

Since Paul is the steward of the dispensation of grace, the mystery of The Christ is a part of this period in time. It is something that was not revealed to any other generation. In Scripture, seven dispensations are revealed (Innocence, Conscience, Government, Promise, Law, Grace, Fullness of Times). In each of these dispensations, mankind is given instruction by God through a steward. The Church exists in the dispensation of grace and is therefore subject to the standards God gave concerning the Mystery of The Christ

Since we now have insight into what is the Mystery of The Christ it is no longer a mystery to those to whom it has been revealed. A mystery in Scripture is something that was hidden, but now God has made it known, Ephesians 3:5 (which was not made known in other generations to the sons of men, just as now it has been revealed through His holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit).

The Mystery of the Christ has to do with the fact that anyone who believes the gospel for salvation is taken […]

The Mystery of The Christ2023-12-14T11:23:23-08:00

What is God’s expectations for a Christian?

Christianity is completely different from living under Law. It is a life that is lived by grace through faith. The Gospel of the Christ was given to Paul to pass on to us so that we would know what is involved in our salvation, the possessions that we have, our position before God, and how to live a life that truly glories God.

What is “The Christ”
In 2 Corinthians 5:17 Paul writes, “therefore, since someone is in Christ; a new creation, the old things have passed away, behold, all things have become new.”

Paul is referring to our position before God and this new creation that He made when He created the Church. All those who are in this new creation are apart of the body of The Christ, where Christ Jesus is the head, that the Church is the body.

Baptism
Baptism is a very important part of the Christian life. When you were saved, you were immersed (baptized) into the body of Christ by the Holy Spirit, 1 Corinthians 12:13 “For by one Spirit we all were immersed into one body, whether Jew or Greek, whether slave or free man, we were all made to drink by one Spirit.” The Holy Spirit placed us into the body of Christ through Spirit baptism.

The body of Christ is a new creation that was made by God on the day of Pentecost – the day the Holy Spirit came to reside upon the earth in believers, Acts 2. Within this new creation, some changes have happened that are important to understand. 2 Corinthian 5:17 “Since someone is in Christ; a new creation, the old things have passed away, behold all things have become new.” Many translation have […]

What is God’s expectations for a Christian?2023-12-14T12:33:01-08:00

Abstain (ἀπέχω)

Abstain (ἀπέχω) comes from the root “to have or hold (εχω)”, expressing the concepts of paid in full or sufficiency. In its general use it may also conveying the idea of deliberately avoiding or refraining from something; hence, abstain. Therefore, not holding onto something.

In expressing the concept of sufficiency, Paul uses ἀπέχω in Philippians 4:18 concerning the support he received from Epaphroditus, who was sent by the assembly to fulfill Paul’s physical needs. He conveys to them that he has no need for more, or they may abstain from sending more, because they have met the need.

The village of Emmaus is fully sixty stadia, approximately seven miles, from Jerusalem, Luke 24:13. ἀπέχω (apecho) is used to express its full distance being sufficiently completed by sixty stadia.

When speaking to the Jews about their righteous acts, Jesus warns them to not do them with the intent for others to see them. The one who does work in this manner receives in full what he deserves by the glory he acquired from men, Matthew 6:2, and, therefore, will not be rewarded by God.

In these latter times that we live in, we have many who have departed from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and the teachings of demons. These are the pastors that in hypocrisy speak lies, having their own conscience seared, forbidding marriage and teaching abstaining from food, which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth, 1 Timothy 4:3.

An aspect of the desirous will of God is for the saint to abstain from fornication, 1 Thessalonians 4:3. Each of us is to know how to possess his own body in sanctification and honor, not in the […]

Abstain (ἀπέχω)2024-10-31T05:42:49-07:00
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