5)
For if we have been
planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness
of his resurrection:
6)
Knowing this, that our old
man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth
we should not serve sin.
7)
For he that is dead is
freed from sin.
8)
Now if we be dead with
Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him:
|
I |
t
is proven that it is difficult for Man to understand and accept just exactly
what the Lord has done. His mind being finite as it is, he has difficulty
grasping the greatness of the plan of God—particularly when he insists upon
trying to understand it with that
mind.
The
fleshly nature of Man craves independence—from everything! This
"need" overrides all understanding, all "common sense," and
all reason. It is this that will cause man to endanger himself
and others. It often seems as if we just must
be "in the know," even if what we know is that we have created the
problem for which we now need a solution!
Our
greatest search ought to be the one that leads us to find how it is that we may
please the Lord. It is no secret that the Scripture considers one to have
attained wisdom when he learns to respect God. Therefore, it is through being
willing to accept direction from Him that we are able to be the most pleasing.
None
of Man's efforts at solving his own problems will ever be successful, for God's
solutions are attained only through Him. That which we come
up with are temporary, at best.
Much
of our problem is in that we seek to understand.
This, of itself, is not the entire problem. It is not the seeking for the answer that causes our problem but rather, the
unwillingness to accept the sovereignty of the Lord if the answer is not
forthcoming. Looking from the perspective of the flesh, no mere mortal will
ever understand the thoughts, reasoning or purpose of the I AM. He is that exactly
because of the nature of His mind. Therefore, of necessity, we must be changed
from the mortal to the immortal (through the changing of our minds) and we must
submit that changed mind to the Power of a limitless God.
Once
we have been "freed from sin" (and particularly if we walk in that freedom), we are eager to win
others over to our new life. And frequently, we are bold enough that we do not even think it a necessity to live that new life. Too many of us are
content with simply talking the talk.
But, do you know the problem with this lifestyle? One cannot "talk"
one into salvation—he must be lived
into it.
No
matter how many success stories of which you hear, the fact remains that the
things of the flesh are conquered only through the spiritual. Yes, through
sheer willpower, many cease from destructive habits, but rarely is the change
lasting. Granted, if one is looking for bad examples in salvation, they are
plentiful. Unfortunately, the reason they are plentiful is because many of the
redeemed are not yielded to the power of the Holy Spirit that they possess.
Shame on us for being unwilling to make
the sacrifice of ourselves for the Lord, yet professing such a "sincere" desire that our family and
friends be saved.
Too
many have convinced themselves of their own deception that grace is given to
cover sin. Grace was never intended for any such thing, but rather, has the
much more noble purpose of granting deliverance from sin!
Though
it is the Lord who allows testing to come to us, He never intended for us to
take an entire lifetime to learn what we must in order to make it to heaven.
His point is that we go ahead and give our problems to Him that He might give
us the solution that He has already worked out!
It
is a blessing beyond compare to be able to live a life that is totally "relaxed"—completely
free from the insecurities and unhappiness that accompanies all in which the
human mind is involved. This type of "freedom" is available only
through Jesus Christ. For we are not freed by civil laws and rights, but rather,
by the blood of Jesus Christ. When one is freed by the shedding of
that which only He could give, How could we
ever, again, be bound? One will never be freed until and unless he recognizes
the anointing of the Spirit of God. Once we come to respect the anointing,
we can acquire the Power which comes as a result of submission to the Spirit.
It is this glorious realization that allows us to be "freed from sin."