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Therefore, as you have received Christ Jesus the Lord, in Him you walk, having been rooted and built up in Him and having been established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in it in thanksgiving. – Colossians 2:6-7
In discussing the human nature, there are major theological differences, especially in the realm of the spirit and soul. These disagreements are not discussed in this paper but will certainly influence the reader’s perception of what is stated. The author highly encourages the reader challenges their own thinking on this matter by solely relying on Scripture rather than theology to strengthen their understanding of and confidence in the truth regarding the human nature. This paper in no way implies, supports, suggest, or reveals that there is any change in the clear separation of the pre-Testament, Israel, Church, or Millennial Kingdom saints. These groups of believers have different promises with different content to their salvation and will always be distinct.
Where does the human soul and spirit come from? We know that the body comes from the parents, but what about the other parts of the human nature? To understand this, we are going to examine what Scripture reveals about where the body, soul, and spirit originate from and how this unique creation of God propagates, along with the fact that even though we share in our nature, we are individuals and personally liable to God.
In the creation of humans, we have two stories in Scripture that give us details on our beginning. These stories are not in contrast to one another; rather, the second one gives us more details on what God did in creating humans. In Genesis 1, we are given an overview of the renovation of the earth and the creation of Adam. God created humans; male and female1, yet He did not create both male and female. As we examine chapter two of Genesis, we find that Adam is […]
The Law of The Christ – Download paper in PDF.
Caring for Members of the Body
Pastor Luther Walker
In the book of Galatians[1] Paul states that the bearing of another person’s weight[2] is filling up again the law of the Christ; yet, in Romans he writes that a Christian is not under any quality of law[3]. How do we reconcile passages of Scripture that seem to contradict each other? What does Scripture mean when it states a Christian is not under any quality of law, yet then indicates there is a law of the Christ and a law of the Spirit? Is a Christian under law or not? Ultimately this leads to the underlying question, “As a Christian, what are the guidelines for my life?” To better understand the rules of our household[4], that is to say God’s expectation for how the saved are to live their life today, we can examine how the word “law” is used in Scripture along with its normal meaning and use in everyday life so we know the difference between being under the Mosaic Law or any quality of law and filing up again the Law of the Christ by loving another saint while fulfilling the law the Spirit of life by our walk.
Since we are in the Dispensation of Grace, not the Dispensation of Law, the standard for our household is different. Scripture is very clear on the fact that a Christian is not under the Mosaic Law or any quality of law[5]; however, there is still a standard by which those who are a […]
Salvation comes by faith through grace. Today a person is saved by believing that Christ died for their sins, was buried, and rose again on the third day according to the Scriptures, 1 Corinthians 15:3, 41. God is offering salvation by grace, not works2. Grace is God’s attitude whereby He gives a benefit without the consideration of merit. In other words, you cannot earn salvation because God is not offering salvation based upon works, who you are, or even who you will become – no merit is considered3. What God requires for salvation is that you take Him at His Word. Faith is the undergirding4 of that which is hoped for, the evidence of accomplished deeds5 not seen and is always based upon a promise6. Direct faith at Christ through the facts of the good news by which we are saved (believing that He died for your […]
Salvation comes by faith, not by works. 1 Corinthians 15:3-4 states, “For I delivered unto you at first that which also I received, that Christ died on behalf of your sins according to the Scriptures, and that he was buried, and that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures…”. Verse 2 states that this is the good news by which we are saved.
The Christian life begins by believing these facts. You are saved by grace through faith, not by work, Ephesians 2:8,9 “For by grace you are in a state of having been saved through faith, and this is not out from you, but a gift from God, not out from works, in order that no one can boast.”
Faith is taking God at His Word. Hebrews 11:1 Now faith is the substance of that which is hoped for, the evidence of accomplished deeds not seen.” Faith is always based upon a promise from God.
Grace is God’s attitude by which He gives a benefit without consideration of merit.
Once you believe these facts there is a substantial change that happened to you. It is not something that you can see, and often will not be overcome with emotions, but the affects of this change will influence you for the rest of your life.
Believing is only the beginning of salvation. To learn more about the changes that happen at salvation, how these changes influence your life, and what the Christian life is all about, join us on Sundays for our morning service. It will be well worth your time!