Sin -

God of this World

“In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.” 2 Corinthians 4:4

Who is the God of this world? Is it not Satan? Yes, it is Satan, also known as the prince of this world. Satan has other names, such as the devil, Lucifer, and adversary. Many in the world do not believe that Satan exists. They may believe in a spirit but not believe that Satan exists and is a spiritual being. Satan is a fallen angel who rebelled against God. Satan is connected to the world system, which is materialism, pride, and sinful pleasures. The God of this world has blinded the minds of the people of this world.

Satan’s desire is to lead people away from the true God. This is done through deception, hatred, and evil ways. He comes as an angel of light, as the apostle Paul states in [2 Corinthians 11:14], trying to deceive the elect from turning away from the Gospel of Christ to the doctrine of devils. God provided a way through Jesus Christ, and there is no other way to the truth of the one and only God.

For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way. And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming: Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. 2 Thessalosian 2:7-10

This mystery of iniquity, which is lawlessness, is already at work around the world. As the times come closer to the Lord’s return, we will see more and more people engaging in lawlessness. Lying, stealing, and profanity may become the norm. I am witnessing this here in America. When the Ten Commandments, prayer, and anything related to God are removed from schools and government, we must ask ourselves what is taking their place. Is it the love of money and things? Pride, materialism, and racism are playing out in the streets of America. This is being witnessed on national TV. There is a coming storm of warning that is not being heeded.

“And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” Romans 12:2

We need to look to God’s plan through His son, Jesus, and repent. Let us come out from the mire of darkness of the world’s ways and back to the standards of God in living godly lives. Be not conformed to this world, the apostle Paul states. We must renew our minds from the ways of the world to the ways or standards that God gave through the word. Remember the words of Jesus himself.

“These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” John 15:19

Jesus himself has overcome the world. He has taken back what Satan has stolen. Satan is the accuser and adversary who now works in the children of disobedience [see Ephesians 2:2].

I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture. The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. John 10:9-10

We must have the mind of Christ to rebuke all evil in our personal lives and step out in faith in doing the will of God. We must cleanse ourselves by repenting and receiving forgiveness. Pray and read the word daily and walk a new life in Christ. ” Be servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart,” [Ephesians 6:6]. Let the light of the Gospel of Christ shine through you to others in this world of darkness.

Newness in Life

“Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.” Romans 6:4

We all need the newness of life in this world. A moment to renew ourselves. Transformation and renewal through the manifestation of the Spirit of God. Newness in life is needed as we age in our bodies. I confess that it is a little harder at age 68. It requires more faith to continue walking in the newness of life. I love the Lord, and I’m thankful for all the miracles He has done in my life. The Lord reminds me that we are buried with Christ unto death, but we have been raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father. Because of this, we should walk in newness of life. We must believe that this renewal is factual even when it has not manifested itself.

What is the apostle Paul conveying to the Romans about this newness in life? How are we placed as a seed in the ground to grow? Paul states, “we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of His resurrection,” [Romans 6:5]. Likeness in the fact of being like Christ in character. We know that sin is ever-present with us, for Paul reveals this in chapter 7 of Romans. Paul comments about the struggle of two natures within the believer. This is the old man through Adams’ nature. Through Christ’s death and resurrection, we are now delivered from sin to a newness of life.

The old man is crucified with Christ that the body of sin may be destroyed, [see Romans 6:6]. This is so we may not serve sin. To what are we yielding ourselves, or what are we following after? We have the Ten Commandments, but we also have laws made by man to have civil peace in the land. Yet,man does not always follow these laws. Some use the excuse that we are only human. Being human is not an excuse, but a weakness in our nature. Life is meant to be lived in love. With the love of God, we can care for each other. We can learn the meaning of the sacrifice of love that Christ made on the cross. Learning about love will take a lifetime.

Christ’s sacrifice on the cross gives us victory over sin. We no longer serve sin, but we serve the Lord in newness of life. Listen to what Paul said to the Romans.

Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof. Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God. Romans 6:12-13

Newness of life involves us in yielding ourselves to God. In essence, every day we can receive newness in life as we give God our bodies and mind to live that new life that flows from the Father to us through the Holy Spirit. Whatever we may lack, He becomes our strength and gives us what we need in our physical bodies. We must live under the power of God through the Holy Spirit. We must believe in faith that He will manifest His divine nature within us.

We must be aware of to whom we yield ourselves. Whether it is of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness, [see Romans 6:16]. Paul is pleading with the Romans not to yield themselves to become servants to uncleanliness and iniquity, but to yield their bodies as servants of righteousness unto holiness. As we do this, a change will begin to manifest within our bodies. This change may take time, or it may happen instantly. Just remember to ask for what you need in prayer, believing you will receive. Ask in faith and believe it to be so, and you will walk in newness of Life every day.

Sanctification Through Christ

“We are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.” Hebrews 10:10

Sanctification is through the body of Jesus Christ. The body of Christ on the cross is the final sacrifice for the remission of all sin. There is no other sacrifice but Christ, and He sat down on the right hand of God, [see Hebrews 10:12]. The death of Christ is the power of God unto salvation. We cannot within our own self achieve justification, sanctification, or glorification. These three processes are worked through the Holy Spirit through faith in Jesus Christ. This can only be achieved through the body of Jesus Christ who died for our sins and won the victory over death. Jesus said, “it is finished.” Sin and disease are finished in the name of Jesus.

Back in the 1980’s, I had written in my Bible the definition for sanctification. I did not fully understand what it meant, and I wondered how many Christians or Believers truly understand its meaning. I feel that somehow the meaning has been lost through the years of watering down what it means to be Holy before the Lord.

Sanctification is to separate from the world and consecrate oneself unto God.  To sanctify means that it belongs to God.  Sanctification is through the redemptive work of Christ and the work of the Holy Spirit.  From Inge's Bible notes.

Sanctification is the work of Christ and the Holy Spirit. In otherwards, we cannot accomplish this in our own self-will. The work is done through faith in Christ Jesus. To be Holy is to be separated unto God. Thus, sanctification is separation from the world to dedication unto God. Through faith, a person becomes partakers of the divine nature of God. In 1 Thessalonians chapter four verse three we read the following:

“For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication:”

1 Thessalonians 4:3

Sanctification is the will of God, and we should know how to hold ourselves in the process of becoming a vessel of honor for God. A vessel of honor is one who is pure in their mind and heart. They do not withhold any imperfections of sin before the Lord. They communicate and surrender all weaknesses to God through prayer daily. All is open before the Lord and nothing is withheld. Thus, they are clean before the Lord. Myer Pearlman stated, “cleanliness is a condition of holiness.” Israel as a nation was sanctified by the blood covenant sacrifice through the priesthood of Aaron’s sons.

“And he poured of the anointing oil upon Aaron’s head, and anointed him, to sanctify him.” Leviticus 8:12

The sons of Aaron who were chosen had to go through a washing, sprinkling of blood, and be anointed with oil before taking the office of a priest, [see Leviticus chapter 8]. Today, through the blood of Jesus we are made clean in order to have fellowship with God. As believers in Christ, we are also sanctified. We are washed clean of all sin, and this is where many stop in their consecration to God. Many do not move ahead in surrendering their all to God. However, God wants us to follow Christ and be sanctified. To be a clean person and have an open dialogue with God.

An open dialogue is talking to God on a daily basis. This is what prayer is all about. It is not a ritual or law; it is the freedom of an open dialogue with God. It is open communication with God. It is being consecrated to the service of God. Brother Lawrence, a French monk, practiced this daily and one can read about it in his book titled, “The Practice of the Presence of God. God has called us unto holiness and not uncleanness, [see 1 Thessalonians 4:7].

Sanctification involves possession by God, for we were bought with a price through the blood of Christ. Sanctification changes our position to being a child of God whereby we can cry “Abba” father. Sanctification is progressive in that we follow Christ and are in the process of taking on the divine character into the image of Christ. Sanctification is practical in righteous living every day for the glory of God.

Sanctification is the work of Grace to be free from sinful habits. What you cannot do God through the Holy Spirit is able to make the change within you. How wonderful this is to be free and holy before our Lord God. We must believe that it is finished. It is finished, because Christ died on the cross and has given us the victory over sin and death. We are sanctified through the word of God, and we are one in the Lord. Just meditate on this and read what Jesus said in John 17:16-22.

“They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth. As thou hast sent me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the world. And for their sakes I sanctify myself, that they also might be sanctified through the truth. Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word; That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me. And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one:

The Law of the Spirit of Life

For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.”
Romans 8:2

The law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has freed us from the law of sin and death. What does this really mean for Christians today? What is the law of the Spirit of life? I can remember some leaders say that being a Christian isn’t a bed of roses, for roses have thorns. It goes without saying that life itself has thorns that prick and can make us bleed. This becomes the acceptable fact of life due to Adams sin which brought condemnation into the world. The consequence of Adams sin made us all sinners, and this brought moral breakdown upon all humanity. This is the universal state of man’s nature which brings the moral state of fallen humanity. We inherited this nature from Adam’s sin. God’s grace through Jesus Christ changes us because of the blood sacrifice on the cross. Jesus himself being righteous in the father’s eye gave us a new inheritance that brings us life instead of death. The apostle Paul affirms this in the following scripture.

“Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:”
Romans 5:12

The apostle Paul was explaining the difference between justification and condemnation. We are justified by the blood of Jesus. The death of Jesus made it possible for us to live under God’s grace. Christ death has reconciled us back to God. This is the condition where Adam had fellowship with God before he sinned. Just look at verse 17, in Romans chapter 5.

“For if by one man’s offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.”
Romans 5:17

The law of the Spirit of life is in Jesus Christ and sin should not reign in our mortal body. Jesus Christ was raised up from the dead and the dominion of sin and death has been abolished. All that we were in Adam has been crucified through Christ. We are now to take on the new nature of Christ in all its fullness. This is the new creation in Christ Jesus. Christ is being formed within the Christians heart, soul, and mind. The apostle Paul told the Ephesians that we are not to walk in the vanity of our mind, but we are to put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness [see Ephesians chapter 4 verses 17-24]. This is the walk of a believer through the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus. Let not sin reign in your mortal body that you should obey its lusts, [Romans 6:12]. The struggle is between the spiritual and the natural man of sin. Many Christians struggle between the sin nature and the nature of Christ. We try to do it ourselves and fall short of the glory of God. We forget that the law of the Spirit of life is where the power of God is. It is through His son Jesus.

The law of the Spirit in Christ Jesus is the accepted way back to God for our sins. Remember the three in one in first John chapter 5 verse 7 states, “For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one.” We must believe in the work of the Holy Spirit who will manifest God’s power in our mortal bodies. This includes our fear, shame, old nature, and any sickness. It is Jesus’ death and resurrection that broke the power of sin and death in our mortal bodies. This is what changed my life of looking for love in all the wrong places to a genuine love that only Jesus could give. This love was worked through others who gave their life to God in full surrender. This is the law of faith in Christ Jesus working in each human being. The conflict of the old nature and the new nature will always be with us. It is faith in who Jesus is that will raise us up together in Christ Jesus. Just look at Romans chapter 8 verse 11.

“But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.”
Romans 8:11

Do you believe that the Spirit of Jesus dwells within you? Have your mortal bodies been restored to new life? We must walk in faith and continue in the Holy Spirit and not in the flesh. Walking in the flesh is to be carnally minded and that brings death. To be spiritually minded is to have life and peace. Those who walk in the flesh cannot please God. To walk in the Spirit is to walk in the faith, for this is the law of the Spirit in Christ Jesus. This excludes self-righteousness because all righteousness is through Jesus alone. The same Spirit that raised up Jesus from the dead shall quicken our mortal bodies. This is the work of the Holy Spirit to impart God’s life in our weak bodies. We put to death the deeds of the body in faith through Jesus Christ. As a Christian we do not fellowship with unfruitful works of darkness, but rather we reprove them, [see Ephesians 5:11]. The works of darkness is quarreling, jealousy, and greediness along with sexual immorality.

It is Jesus who said, “if you continue in my word, then are you my disciples indeed,” [John 8:31]. The word is the truth, and it shall set us free. Look at verse 34 of John chapter 8, where Jesus said, “whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin.” A servant does not abide forever in the house, but the son does, [see verse 35 of John chapter 8]. What a revelation this is and speaks to our wonderful inheritance we have through Christ Jesus. As a child of God, we have an inheritance, but a servant does not, because the servant has not yet been adopted into the family. Think about your own position. Are you a servant of sin, or are you a child of God? Remember it is the work of the Holy Spirit that delivers us from the law of sin.

We are born into the life of Christ as God’s children, and we are joint heirs with Christ. We have been adopted into God’s family and have the assurance that he hears us when we cry out to the Father God. We do not have a mind of the flesh any longer but of the Spirit of God through Christ Jesus. We pray in faith for the Spirit to change our mind to the law of the Spirit of Christ who has made us victorious over sin and death. The apostle Paul affirms this in the following verses in chapter 8.

Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh. 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. For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.”
Romans 8:12-14

Our position in Christ has brought us the adoption as children of God. It is the Spirit that will guide us on to maturity as a child of God. This is the continuous work of law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus that forever will keep us free from the law of sin and death. Do you believe this? This is the gift that God has given us through His son. Reconciliation, adoption, and everlasting life. No more bondage in fear, but adoption and heirs of God.

And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.”
Romans 8:17

Who did sin, this man or his parents?

And his disciples asked, saying Master, who did sin, this man, or his parents, that he was born blind?
John 9:2

Wow! What a question the disciples asked Jesus. Who did sin? It is so easy to point the finger, but Jesus said, “neither hath this man sinned, nor his parents, but that the works of God should be made manifest in him,” [see John 9:3]. It is the works of God made manifest in the blind man and not sin. How amazing is that? This blind man was told by Jesus to go and wash in the pool of Siloam after Jesus anointed the eyes with clay. The blind man did as Jesus said and he went to the pool washed and received his sight. Earlier this year the Antiquities Authority has been working on the completion of the excavation of the Pool of Siloam. The Pool of Siloam will be soon open to the public to visit exclaimed the Israeli Antiquities Authority (IAA). Just look at the picture below of the Pool of Siloam in November 2020.

The significance of the Pool of Siloam in Hebrew is the word “Shiloah” which means to be send forth. Also, it is said that the Pool of Siloam was used by the temple priest to perform a cleansing ceremony as seen in Numbers chapter 19. A red Heifer without spot or blemish was used for the cleansing of the believer from the contamination of the world. Thus, we have the example of Jesus himself later through his own blood having obtained our redemption. Sanctifying to the purifying of the flesh [see Hebrews 9:13].

How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God.”
Hebrews 9:14

This blind man did not ask to be healed, yet through the compassion of Jesus he was healed. The blind man now could see, and many asked him how this happened. The Pharisees wanted to go after the man Jesus for healing on the sabbath day. The Jews would not believe that he was blind and asked his parents if this was true. The parents told the Jews that the blind man who could now see was their son, but they know not who opened his eyes to see. The parents feared the Jews for the Jews had already agreed that if any man confess Christ, they would be put out of the synagogue [see John 9:21-22]. Put out of the synagogue would mean they would be shunned or banished by everyone. Banishment from a group is a painful experience and carries the pain of suffering, yet Jesus is the true Shepherd and cares for those who belong to him.

What was the real truth why Jesus healed the blind man? Let’s look to verse 39 of John chapter nine.

For judgement I am come into this world, that they who see not, might see; and that they who see, might be made blind.”
John 9:39

Jesus came into this world for judgement in regard to who would believe in him. It is those who believe not that are condemned already, [see John 3:18]. Thus, if you are blind, you have no sin because you do not see the physical evidence within in your own environment. To see is to know the difference between right and wrong. Once you see lawlessness, your self-will enters into the picture of the act of violation against yourself and others. This is because of the original sin with Satan that entered the world through Adam. The apostle Paul stated, “Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so, death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned,” [Romans 5:12]. I call this the “catch-22” because it seems that it is a paradoxical statement. The truth about how sin entered the world can be still debated today. Yet, God provided a way out of the dilemma of sin for man through his son Jesus. Jesus is the word that was made flesh and that dwelt among those who saw and witnessed him. It was Jesus who stated that “he that hath seen him hath seen the Father God,” [see John 14:9].

Even today, some do not believe that Jesus and the Father God are one. Look at verse 10 of John chapter 14, “Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? The words that I speak unto you, I speak not of myself; but the father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works.” But the Father that dwells within Jesus is doing the work. It is the work of God to heal and cleanse us from all sin. It is the work of God made manifest in the blind man. This is the glory of God through the son of God that Jesus is the resurrection and the life, [see John 11:25]. Do you believe this?

“Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.”
John 17:17

Those who believe are sanctified by the truth in the word of God. In first John chapter two, verse 5, states, “whosoever keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected; by this know we that we are in him.” Is the love of God perfected in you? That is a question we each should ask ourselves. Is the light of God shining in our own heart? Can we testify how we were healed by God like the blind man? The blind man did what Jesus told him and he went to the pool of Siloam to wash, and he was healed by the words of Jesus. Healed by Jesus and sent forth to testify was the blind man. All for the glory of God. Oh! If only we would believe and see God manifest himself in our own life. Read the whole chapter nine of the Gospel of John. How many times did the blind man testify about the healing of his sight that he exclaimed, “why here is a marvelous thing, that ye know not from where he is, and yet he hath open mine eyes,” [see John 9:30].

The blind man spoke the truth about his healing from God, and he did not know whether he was a sinner or not. The Jews cast him out of the synagogue saying that he was born in sin and mocked him about teaching them about God. Oh, looked what happened next. Jesus found out that the blind man who now sees was cast out and found him and asked him “do you believe on the Son of God?” The blind man that now sees asked, “who is he.” Jesus told him he hath seen him and it was he that spoke with him. The blind man that now sees said, “I believe.” Let us believe in the Son of God like the blind man who now sees. Pray that you do not become blind like the scribes and pharisees who remained in their sin, rather than believing in the Son of God. We must believe in order to see the miracle of God in our own life. It is never too late to ask God to manifest himself in our own life. Ask, believe, and receive a miracle today.