It is pretty obvious that due to the way many interpret Romans chapter 7, they also misinterpret the following: Romans 8:10 “And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness.”
What does that mean?
It is pretty obvious Paul meant the same thing he said to the Colossians church:
Colossians 3:5-7 “Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry: For which things' sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience: In the which ye also walked some time, when ye lived in them.”
How can I say that for sure? By what Paul said in verse 13 of that same chapter 8 to the Romans:
Romans 8:13 “For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.”
Galatians 6:7 “Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.”
1 Corinthians 6:9-10 “Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.”
So please listen: Romans seven is Paul speaking illustratively as the powerless man that he was before Christ.
I certainly sympathize that this is a difficult thing to find out after having lived for years not knowing it, even as I myself did. It is a shocker to find out.
But if we look at the Old Law we learn why.
Our bodies are like as the utensils which had to be purified, cleansed ceremonially before they could enter the temple. Even unclean persons could not enter the temple. And this was made clear to us by that Law using hyperbole requirements (exaggerated pictures) such as a woman being unclean during her period. A woman could not enter the temple while on her period.
Our bodies are vessels which must be made honorable before God will use us in sacred service.
And this is the single most important teaching for us to understand. For God will forgive us much if we but get this one right. He will be patient with us for not understanding the exact identity of Jesus or the Holy Spirit if we can only get this one right. He will be patient with us for not understanding hell or heaven if we only would get this teaching right.
It is the most important teaching of Christ.
Matthew 7:22-23 "Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity."
What does that mean?
It is pretty obvious Paul meant the same thing he said to the Colossians church:
Colossians 3:5-7 “Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry: For which things' sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience: In the which ye also walked some time, when ye lived in them.”
How can I say that for sure? By what Paul said in verse 13 of that same chapter 8 to the Romans:
Romans 8:13 “For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.”
Galatians 6:7 “Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.”
1 Corinthians 6:9-10 “Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.”
So please listen: Romans seven is Paul speaking illustratively as the powerless man that he was before Christ.
I certainly sympathize that this is a difficult thing to find out after having lived for years not knowing it, even as I myself did. It is a shocker to find out.
But if we look at the Old Law we learn why.
Our bodies are like as the utensils which had to be purified, cleansed ceremonially before they could enter the temple. Even unclean persons could not enter the temple. And this was made clear to us by that Law using hyperbole requirements (exaggerated pictures) such as a woman being unclean during her period. A woman could not enter the temple while on her period.
Our bodies are vessels which must be made honorable before God will use us in sacred service.
And this is the single most important teaching for us to understand. For God will forgive us much if we but get this one right. He will be patient with us for not understanding the exact identity of Jesus or the Holy Spirit if we can only get this one right. He will be patient with us for not understanding hell or heaven if we only would get this teaching right.
It is the most important teaching of Christ.
Matthew 7:22-23 "Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity."