In Romans 1:1-8 the Apostle Paul has emphasized the gospel of God which He gave to the Word (Who became Jesus Christ), Who gave it to His prophets and later, in person, gave it to His apostles who recorded it for us who are living in the “last days” (Acts 2:17,18/ Joel 2:28,29).  What the Word/Jesus gave to mankind is the gospel of the Kingdom of God that His ministers continue to preach today.

In verses 9-16 Paul states that he preached to all people, regardless of their religious bent.  In verse 17,18 he notes that the righteousness of God is revealed in a saint when he/she believes and obeys what God has written in His Word.  Faith is simply believing what God said.  Bear in mind that when Paul referred to God’s Word he was writing about the Old Testament.  The New Testament would not come into existence for another 40 years after the New Testament writers were all gone except John whom God used to gather all of the writings of the prophets and apostles and codify them into one book which we call the Holy Bible.  The apostles taught the Old Testament which consisted of the Torah (Law) and the writings of the prophets.  Note that Jesus said: “I did not come to destroy the Law or the prophets (writings) ….” (Mat. 5:17).  The church refutes this statement made by Jesus Christ, thereby proving that she despises Him and His Father.

In verse 17 Paul says that the just(tified) will live by faith–by believing what God said.  But faith alone is not enough, as I made Scripturally clear in the previous posting.  Paul makes clear in Romans 5:21 and 6:22 that salvation comes from righteousness and holiness, which are the end products of obedience to God’s word.  Through God’s grace (unearned favor) we receive justification (removal of all PAST sins)–vss 18,21.  Grace/justification then enable us to reign over sin (keep sin out of our lives) and thereby qualify for salvation.  Grace and justification having “made (us) free from sin, we can (through obedience) produce holiness, the end (result) of which is eternal life” (6:22).

What does John say is so wrong with sin, which the church masses say is inevitable?  We will now delve into some hard-hitting Truths which most salvation seekers refuse to read.  Note that John is writing to the church about the church.  Let us examine 1 John 3:1-10 to learn what you will not hear from either pulpit or podium, neither on t.v. or radio.  The following Biblical information is available only in your Holy Bible and from the few ministers who have the spiritual spine to proclaim it.

In verses 1,2 John declares that he and those he was writing to were sons of God in the flesh, and that their bodies would change in substance when they are born again and raised from the dead (at the first resurrection).  At that time they would take on the present form of Jesus Christ, Who is a spirit.   In verses 3 and 4 John notes that to be saved and born again at Christ’s return they must keep themselves purified in this life by studying, believing and obeying God’s Law.  In verses 5 and 6 he warns the people against sinning (breaking the Law).  Having had their past sins forgiven and having been delivered from (having to) sin in the future, those who continued to sin would not abide in Christ, did not know Him and had not “seen” Him.

In verse 6 and 9 John states what few people believe.  Here he states that one who abides in Christ does not sin.  This means that Christ will only abide (His Spirit remain) in the one who does not sin.  Christ will not remain where sin dwells.  In verse 9 John says that “Whosoever is born of God (converted) does not sin, for His seed (Word) remains in him (cleanses him of sin) and he cannot sin.  The word “cannot” involves two words: “can” (Gk-dynamia–can, able).  We get the word “dynamite” from that root word.  The second part of the word is “not” (Gk. ou–no, not, absolutely not).  The meaning of the word “dynamia ou” (cannot) means that the saint can sin but absolutely refuses to do so.  These, John tells us in verse 7, are righteous just as Jesus is righteous.

Then in verses 8 and 10 John says what only a few saints actually believe: “He who commits sin is of the devil ….  Jesus came to destroy the works of the devil” (within the saints).  Saints can sin but refuse to do so.  Jesus made this possible by placing His Holy Spirit within them, thereby empowering them to resist Satan’s temptations to sin.  The “works of the devil” are designed to get men to sin.  The “work of the Spirit” is to empower saints to overcome his temptations.  Paul tells us in Romans 8:14 that only those who are led by (obey) that Spirit are true sons of God.  Jesus said in Revelation 3:21 that only those who do so will sit with Him on His throne.  In 1 John 3:10 he tells the church that those who refuse to sin are God’s people and those who continue to sin are Satan’s people.  Note that there is no middle ground–no fence-straddling, no grace-covered sinning.  We either refuse to sin and are God’s people or we engage in sin and are Satan’s people.  He ends that segment by saying: “WHOSOEVER DOES NOT DO RIGHTEOUSNESS IS NOT OF GOD.”  From 2 Corinthians 6:14-7:1 we know that there one cannot sin and be one with God.  Read that passage for proof of this Truth.

In Romans 1:18-20 Paul warns that God’s wrath will fall on those who, having God’s Word, “hold it in unrighteousness”–refuse to obey it.  In another place the writer says that such people “cast the Truth to the ground.”  In the eyes of God, to have the Bible and not believe and obey it isn’t a matter of simple neglect, it is outright, in-your-face-get-used-to-it rejection.  Jesus said that such people DESPISE  both the Father and the Son (Lk. 10:16).  L.J.