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The World Has Been Crucified to Me

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(inspired by and adapted from the sermon notes of Charles H. Spurgeon)

But far be it from me to boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.
(Galatians 6:14)

The verses which precede this reveal that Paul vigorously rebuked those who went aside from the doctrine of the Cross. You can’t add to the gospel, and you can’t take away from it.

When we rebuke others, we must take care to go right ourselves; hence he says, “far be it from me to boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

Paul heats up in disgust when he thinks of the opponents of the cross. He no sooner touches the subject than he glows and burns. Yet he has his reasons, and states them clearly and forcibly in the latter words of the text. He describes three crucifixions:

1. Christ crucified

“…the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ…”

Paul mentions the atoning death of Jesus in the plainest and most obnoxious terms. The cross was shameful as the gallows tree. Yet with the clearest contrast as to the person enduring it, for to him he gives his full honor in the glorious title “our Lord Jesus Christ.”

In this he boasted so as to boast in nothing else, for he viewed it as…

  • …a display of the divine character (2 Corinthians 5:19).
  • … the manifestation of the love of the Savior (John 15:13).
  • …the putting away of sin by atonement (Hebrews 9:26).
  • …ensuring eternal life to all believers (John 3:16).

In each of these points of view, the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ is a pillar of light, flaming with unutterable joy.

2. The world crucified

“…the world has been crucified to me…”

As the result of seeing all things in the light of the Cross, he saw the world to be like a guilty felon executed upon a cross.

For Paul, a cross-centered perspective on life caused him to think the following of the world and its pleasures:

  • Its character is now condemned (John 7:31).
  • Its teachings despised.
  • Its pleasures, honors, treasures rejected.
  • Its threats made nothing of.
  • Itself soon to pass away, its glory and its fashion fading.

3. The believer crucified

“…and I to the world.”

To the world, Paul was no better than a man crucified. If faithful, a Christian may expect to be treated as only fit to be put to a shameful death.

You might find…

  • …yourself first bullied, threatened, and ridiculed.
  • …your actions and motives misrepresented.
  • …yourself despised as a sort of madman, or of doubtful intellect.
  • …your teaching described as out of date.
  • …yourself an alien to society.

Our victory in the cross

As Andrew Murray once said:

Do not be satisfied with so many others only to know the cross in its power to atone. The glory of the cross is, that it was not only to Jesus the path to life, but that each moment it can become to us the power that destroys sin and death, and keeps us in the power of the eternal life. Learn from your Savior the holy art of using it for this. Faith in the power of the cross and its victory will day by day make dead the deeds of the body, the lusts of the flesh. This faith will teach you to count the cross, with its continual death to self, all your glory. Because you regard the cross not as one who is still on the way to crucifixion, with the prospect of a painful death, but as one to whom the crucifixion is past, who already lives in Christ, and now only bears the cross as the blessed instrument through which the body of sin is done away (Romans 6:6). The banner under which complete victory over sin and the world is to be won is the cross.

Comments

  1. Question:

    What does it mean to nail your sins, concerns, etc. to the cross? Or to the foot of the cross?

    We will be ridiculed more and more but count that to the good.

    There are so many modern day martyrs already. I get the Voice of the Martyrs newsletter in print and in email.

    http://www.persecution.com/

    I have a file on some pretty grim statistics about the state of our modern USA churches. I won’t bother the group with them.

    Very sad. Very.

    • Good morning.
      D. Guzik’s reference to Spurgeon helped me understand what the Cross,faith, and grace mean to us: If the faith we have doesn’t change us, then it is a faith that won’t save us. Through BLB I have learned that the changed life will be fragrant to some and a stench to others. I enjoy all the posts.
      Prayers from central Fl-Rebecca

  2. When we speak of the “Cross” we must remember it has many facets. It is much more than just a wooden fixture in which Our Risen Lord completed His Task here on earth. It is our reminder of the full sacrifice we are all called to bear. Each of us need to view the Cross as an example of how much God loves us and what we “Owe” back to Him. Love one another and Go ye therefore unto the whole world… starts with us.

    • Today’s blog was helpful to me. I like the bullet list. I feel, after reading this, that I have been missing something about Jesus. Yes, I know He was crucified for my sins, died and was resurrected. But I haven’t quite looked at the depth of that message as deeply as this. I have been studying Faith and Grace and Suffering so much in the past year. I appreciate this encouragement in this blog to sink deeper.

      I love that I can be “at school in my spirit” while attending the duties of life on earth.

      Rainy and cold today in Portland, Oregon. I am looking forward to my office work and while at my tasks, chewing on the meat in this blog.

      Have a blessed day, everyone.

      • Debi,

        I am starting to get it (better). The bulleted lists do help you are right.

        Paul was a very passionate man. In Galatians Paul’s raw emotion really shows defending the cross at costs.

        He was very hard on the Judizers that came to confuse the Galatians.

        We sing this song alot in church. Another reason I really love our church our minister has a very rich baritone voice. He really is talented with string instruments and the piano. A very good example of using talents to praise the Lord. He sings with great passion.

        Click to listen to the music of “Victory In Jesus” and sing along!

        http://www.gospelsonglyrics.org/songs/victory_in_jesus.html

        I heard an old, old story
        How a Savior came from glory
        How He gave His life on Calvary
        To save a wretch like me;
        I heard about His groaning
        Of His precious blood’s atoning
        Then I repented of my sins
        And won the victory.

        Refrain:

        O victory in Jesus
        My Savior, forever
        He sought me and bought me
        With His redeeming blood;
        He loved me ‘ere I knew Him
        And all my love is due Him
        He plunged me to victory
        Beneath the cleansing flood.

        I heard about His healing
        Of His cleansing power revealing
        How He made the lame to walk again
        And caused the blind to see;
        And then I cried, “Dear Jesus,
        Come and heal my broken spirit,”
        And somehow Jesus came and brought
        To me the victory.

        (Refrain)

        I heard about a mansion
        He has built for me in glory
        And I heard about the streets of gold
        Beyond the crystal sea;
        About the angels singing
        And the old redemption story
        And some sweet day I’ll sing up there
        The song of victory.

        (Refrain)

        O victory in Jesus
        My Savior, forever
        He sought me and bought me
        With His redeeming blood;
        He loved me ‘ere I knew Him
        And all my love is due Him
        He plunged me to victory
        Beneath the cleansing flood.

        I use my computer’s plug in earphones during the day.

        When I sleep I have 2 CDs I play all night with my CD player. I wake up with a song. Really great way to wake up!

        Godly Stuff In = Good Stuff out.

        These are really great weapons when the world seems to close in.

        More Armor strengtheners.

        • Debi,

          Here’s another great song to play as we read the Blog or when the TV is on (another insists on watching the bad stuff news) or when we read Scripture.

          This MP3 is free to listen to.

          Download from iTunes costs something. I have an iPod too but I don’t pay for music. There are some free public domain songs on iTunes. We can also get free sermons and courses to download.

          Some people don’t like “modern” music. So those of you not into Christian Contemporary music may not want to visit.

          I like modern myself. I also like traditional organ music songs too. We do both at our church minus the drums. Some people don’t like drums but I do.

          Worship Together

          http://www.worshiptogether.com/songs/songdetail.aspx?iid=561007

          Verse 1

          Oh to see the dawn of the darkest day
          Christ on the road to cal – va – ry
          Tried by sinful men, torn and beaten then
          Nailed to a cross of wood

          Chorus 1

          This the pow’r of the cross
          Christ became sin for us
          Took the blame, bore the wrath
          We stand forgiven at the cross

          Verse 2

          Oh to see the pain written on Your face
          Bearing the awesome weight of sin
          Ev’ry bitter thought, ev’ry evil deed
          Crowning Your blood – stained brow

          (REPEAT CHORUS)

          Verse 3
          Now the daylight flees, now the ground beneath
          Quakes as its maker bows his head
          Curtain torn in two, dead are raised to life
          ‘Finished!’ the victory cry

          Verse 4
          Oh to see my name written in the wound
          For through Your suf‘fring I am free
          Death is crushed to death, life is mine to live
          Won through Your selfless love.

          Chorus

          Copyright © 2005 Thankyou Music/PRS

  3. Let us remember to encourage one another daily (Hebrews 3:13)through caring, affirming accountability and prayer. Let us cheerfully and compassionately remind each other of this truth about the Cross and the Hope we have.

    Accountability = Encouragement

    May our Risen Lord Jesus overpower you today with His amazing love, strength, and presence. 🙂

    http://www.marriageanchors.com

    God blesseach of you kindred spirits today!

    • Hey James,

      I visited.

      Both of my parents were WWII vets.

      Mama was an aviation machinist mate second class in the WAVES.
      She was stationed at Kanoa Bay, Hawaii.
      She fueled airplanes and flagged them in and out.
      Most of the sailors didn’t return.
      They were Seabees that went into battle areas first before the troops to build bridges and other structures.

      It was a joyous time when the planes arrived containing the Seabees who weren’t killed in battle. She had a very bitter sweet duty for sure.

      My Daddy was a file clerk in the Air Force stationed in France post Normandy.
      He was on limited duty as he was blind in one eye.

      I grew up in the full hippie era. It was really shabby how the returning Vietnam Vets were treated on campus. I made friends with them.

      MaMa’s policy was if I got into the riots I wouldn’t be bailed out of jail. Needless to say I didn’t get into antiwar demonstrations.

      I believed her. She backed up what she said.

      However one feels about wars we still have a very large Christian duty to support our soldiers and their families. Pray for them. Help them when we can.

      Some may want to support the Wounded Warriors Project.

      Just my read on things. All are free to disagree.

      My mama wasn’t a big hugger. My daddy was the soft touch in the family.

      Mamma was a PE Teacher and Basketball Coach in our only high school in the county. Needless to say I didn’t get many dates in high school.

      I love you MaMa. I love you Daddy. I miss both of you everyday!

  4. Most of us can belt out “Amazing Grace” we sing that alot too at church. I sing pretty loudly in alto. My spouse says I sing flat.

    But hey, the Bible says to make a joyful noise until the Lord.
    Luckily our congregation has some good singers who drown me out pretty well.

  5. Make that unto not until 🙁

    Hey good news for me. My keyboard is OK after a reboot.

    I will try to cut my posts length so it will be good news to you. 🙂

    Cut and pastes don’t count.

    If I irritate anyone please forgive me. Just skip my posts.

  6. I try to invite people to church all the time when I am in the world. The best witness is to let our little lights shine.

    Great thing about our region is the second question is always what church do you attend? If people don’t attend we encourage them to come to our churches. I am a non-denominationalist type member in our denominational church. It works!

    First question at our Silver Sneakers and Silver Splashers at the YMCA is…

    Second… I am very sorry. Could you repeat your name please?

    Can anyone relate? I really do want to remember their names. I have managed to retain more names lately. HURRAY!

    Everyday is a good day in the Lord! Even if you forget the date.

  7. Pat,
    Here are a couple more verses to consider in the same vein as the others. We know when the resurrection is:
    1Thes 4:16-17
    John 6:39-40
    John 6:44
    John 6:54
    Dan 12:1-3
    We know this is the resurrection of a physical body:
    Romans 8:11
    We also know when the judgement takes place:
    Dan 12:1-3
    2Tim 4:1
    2Tim 4:8
    We know we won’t be immortal until after we are resurrected and judged:
    1Cor 15:22-23
    1Cor 15:42-43
    1Cor 15:52-53
    This makes pretty good sense, we die, at Christ’s coming we are raised, then judged, then rewarded according to His judgement. If we go to heaven or hell upon death, when is the judgement. This is harmony with Heb 11:40, that all those in Christ will be made perfect, immortal, incorruptible beings when raised and judged at His appearing. Any comments?

    • THANKS!

      I will certainly study them carefully. I have some verse cites of my own too.

      I need all the help I can get!

      (giggling) Jason just look what you did to make heads hurt!

      I still want to know what happened to those people who were dead in the grave and Christ raised them when he returned for a ‘short while’ They were seen walking around Jerusalem.

      Now if we resurrect when Christ comes again that’s OK too. When you’re dead time stands still at least for you.

      When you awake it will seem like a milli milli second after you died.

      Or is my logic upside down and backwards?

      Toddler here I confess!

    • Hey Jason
      It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body.

      According to Paul (1Cor: 15:44)

      Just some food for thought. I see through a glass dimly. If Eph. 2 8&9 and Rom. 10 9&10 are not true don’t look for me in heaven.

  8. I stand by my not commenting on Revelation.

    Talk about trouble to a toddler. Not going to even touch the Olivet Discourse. UH UH nope.

    I keep timing and order and such in my heart alone. The Holy Spirit will get me straightened up as I take my small child steps.

    I depend upon YHVH for everything that is not discernable and may not be for everyone until Jesus returns.

    I read scripture and get new ahha has every time I take a hard long look at what they say each and every word.

    Jason, you are deep! You make my head hurt big time. Oi!

    Sojourner hugs out to you fellow stepper! You have a lot longer legs than I do!

  10. OK I read them.

    Soooo given the Abraham and Rich man discourse just where did that take place in the right-side of the Gulf?

    Do you think it is possible we will be in a formless non-spiritual body state in some sort of light not currently seated with Jesus?
    The bosum of Abraham?

    DUNNO

    Let’s wait until we are called whenever that is.
    I want on the right side never separated from Jesus wherever that is!

    There is a multitude coming with Jesus. That’s really good news!

  11. Jhn 4:24 God 2316 [is] a Spirit 4151: and 2532 they that worship 4352 him 846 must 1163 worship 4352 [him] in 1722 spirit 4151 and 2532 in truth 225.

    This works for me. Whatever the Spirit is (looks like composed of) is the Omega.

    FAITH is everything.

    I believe God.

    He always keeps his promises.

  12. Back to Armor Strengthening.

    http://www.gospelsonglyrics.org/songs/beautiful_isle_of_somewhere.html

    Click to listen to the music of Beautiful Isle Of Somewhere and sing along!

    Somewhere the sun is shining
    Somewhere the songbirds dwell
    Hush, then, thy sad repining
    God lives, and all is well.

    Chorus:
    Somewhere, somewhere
    Beautiful Isle of Somewhere!
    Land of the true, where we live anew
    Beautiful Isle of Somewhere!

    Somewhere the day is longer
    Somewhere the task is done
    Somewhere the heart is stronger
    Somewhere the guerdon won.

    Chorus:
    Somewhere, somewhere
    Beautiful Isle of Somewhere!
    Land of the true, where we live anew
    Beautiful Isle of Somewhere!

    Somewhere the load is lifted
    Close by an open door
    Somewhere the clouds are rifted
    Somewhere the angels sing.

    Chorus:
    Somewhere, somewhere
    Beautiful Isle of Somewhere!
    Land of the true, where we live anew
    Beautiful Isle of Somewhere!

  13. Full circle. The power of the Cross.

    Dead. Means death to self of the of sins of the flesh.

    * Faith in the power of the cross and its victory will day by day make dead the deeds of the body, the lusts of the flesh. This faith will teach you to count the cross, with its continual death to self, all your glory. Because you regard the cross not as one who is still on the way to crucifixion, with the prospect of a painful death, but as one to whom the crucifixion is past, who already lives in Christ, and now only bears the cross as the blessed instrument through which the body of sin is done away (Romans 6:6). The banner under which complete victory over sin and the world is to be won is the cross. *

  14. Power of the cross.

    Life.

    Rom 6:11 So you also must consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus.

  16. I love the Blueletter Bible resources.

    More Armor. Ties Cross and Armor together.
    Grace and Faith

    In part.

    Day By Day By Grace
    Bob Hoekstra
    November 13, 2011
    Blue Letter Bible Newsletter delivered daily to my email box.
    Subscribe!
    http://www.blueletterbible.org/devotionals/email.cfm?DevID=1

    “…
    Still More Consequences of Accessing Grace through Faith
    …
    Who through faith…escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, became valiant in battle. (Hebrews 11:34)

    We may face many imminent threats, but we can trust the Lord to provide His escape. “The Lord will deliver me from every evil work” (2 Timothy 4:18). The Lord provides His strength, even when we are weak. “For My strength is made perfect in weakness” (2 Corinthians 12:9). Our God can also make us valiant in battle. “Take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day” (Ephesians 6:13)…

    O Lord, You are my deliverer, my strength, and my source of courage. Teach me to look to You when I am in danger, when I am weak, and when the battles rage. I long to walk by faith in the blessed consequences of Your abounding grace, Amen.

  17. I don’t think what I have presented is complicated, it is relatively simple and it holds true to what scripture has presented to us, and that is the important part, truth. Our walk follows doctrine.

    John 3:13
    Job 3:11-19
    Psalm 146:4
    Ecc 3:19
    John 11:11-14
    John 11:23-24

    We die, we sleep and are unconscious, we awake to new life when Christ returns and we are raised from the dead. It is not what is typically taught at a church but it seems to be the message of scripture. May Yahweh bless your studies.

    • Hey Jason
      How do we explain Mk 12 and Lk 20
      Therefore, in the resurrection, when they rise, whose wife will she be? For all seven had her as wife.” 24 Jesus answered and said to them, “Are you not therefore mistaken, because you do not know the Scriptures nor the power of God? 25 For when they rise from the dead, they neither marry nor are given in marriage, but are like angels in heaven. 26 But concerning the dead, that they rise, have you not read in the book of Moses, in the burning bush passage, how God spoke to him, saying, ‘I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob’? 27 He is not the God of the dead, but the God of the living. You are therefore greatly mistaken.”
      Mark 12:23-27 (NKJV)

      I know the scriptures about the dead rising at the last trump, but then Jesus said these words.

      • My question would be, when do they rise from the dead Mark 12:25, and when are they made like the angels?

        • Seems to me Jesus gave us the answer when He said God says He is the God of the living.

          God said He is the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. These are real people, but have been transformed from physical to spiritual.

          I believe this to be literal or Jesus/God is at best misleading us.

          I have never had anyone explain this seeming contradiction to my satisfaction.

          I like what Paul says. We are confident, yes, well pleased rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord.
          2 Cor 5:8 (NKJV)

          My wife died of cancer a few years ago. Two days before she died, after having been a comma for 3 days, she suddenly awakened and started to cry out “It’s wonderful, It’s wonderful all the while she keep throwing her arms up in the air. One time she cried out, “everything out there is nice”. I believe she was already seeing into the spiritual world and two days later that is where she went as her faith was rooted in Jesus.

          God bless you

          • I am sorry for the loss of your wife. The only reason I present this question is because of what seems to be the overwhelming lack of congruence among Christians concerning any specific belief, and the lack of ability to provide basis in scripture for there beliefs.

            Doctrines have become vague, “faith” has supplanted understanding, “grace” has replaced discipline, and “the holy spirit” has replaced any need for a foundation of doctrines in scripture. You can speak with a number of Christians, even among the same congregation and get such a variety of different answers on every subject. There is one faith and a unity that should be found within that faith. Eph 4:3-6 We also have one authority, and He speaks to us through His word and we should listen intently. Not listening for what we want to hear, but for what is being spoken. John 17:17 I hope to understand others beliefs from a Biblical point of view, if you believe something, why?

            Concerning the changing from earthly to spiritual, it is explained in 1cor 15
            1cor 15:42-44 “So is it with the resurrection of the dead. What is sown is perishable; what is raised is imperishable.”

            As far as the comment of Abraham, Issac, and Jacob, the comment was concerning the Sadducee’s belief in the resurrection, which was, that there was no resurrection.
            Mark 12:18
            Mark 12:27 implying there will be a resurrection
            John 5:28-29
            John 6:39-40
            John 6:44
            John 6:54

            -God Bless

  18. one of my memory verses:
    I have been crucified with Christ. And it is no longer I who live but Christ lives in me. And the life that I now live in the flesh I live by faith in The Son Of God who loved me and gave Himself up for me. Galatians 2:20

    • Amen John indeed!

      Thank you for bringing this to our rememberance.

      Shall we always pledge not just with our lips but with our whole heart and with our actions to always glorify His name.

      All praise, love, glory, and honor to our Lord forever and ever.

      You own our souls sweet Jesus.

      * I have been crucified with Christ. And it is no longer I who live but Christ lives in me. And the life that I now live in the flesh I live by faith in The Son Of God who loved me and gave Himself up for me. Galatians 2:20 *

      By faith alone,

      Amen. Amen.

  19. I am simply presenting what seems obvious in scripture. We know there will the resurrection of the dead when Christ returns to the earth, then the judgement will take place, each rewarded/condemned accordingly Dan 12:2. What is your proposed understanding of the resurrection and the judgement? Yahweh has given us this information in the scriptures for a reason, as was quoted, Mark 12:24, we must know the scriptures, and the truth in them. The following is an assumption, so if I am wrong please correct me, I only want to understand the truth.
    The following is my understanding of the common understanding of the hereafter:
    -we die
    -our spirit lives on
    -we go to heaven or hell (a judgement is made)
    -Christ returns to the earth
    -our spirit returns to our physical body
    -we are resurrected
    -judged (seemingly a 2nd time)
    -given immortality if seen fit by Christ (although we have really died regardless)
    -then we go to heaven/are with Christ or go back to hell

    This just doesn’t make sense, nor is scriptural. I would really appreciate it if anyone would give a timeline of there understanding, because again mine is an assumption and probably doesn’t hold true to what any of you may believe. Acts 17:11

  20. Acts 5:29 Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said we ought to obey GOD rather than men

    1st Corinthians 4:6 And these things brethren I have in a figure transferred to myself and to Apollos for your sakes that you might learn in us not to think of men above that which is written that no one of you be puffed up for one against another

    2nd Peter 1:5-8 And beside this giving all diligence ADD to your faith virtue and to virtue knowledge (6) and to knowledge temperance and to temperance patience and to patience GODLINESS (7) and to GODLINESS brotherly kindness and to brotherly kindness charity (8) for if these things be in you and abound they make you that you neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of CHRIST

    2nd Peter 2:2 And many shall follow their pernicious ways by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of

    James 3:17 But the wisdom that is from above is first pure then peaceable gentle and easy to be intreated full of mercy and good fruits without partiality and without hypocrisy

    James 2:24 You see then how that by works a man is justified and not by faith only

    Revelation 3:2 Be watchful and strengthen the things which remain that are ready to die for I have not found thy works works perfect before GOD

    Matthew 4:4 But HE answered and said it is written MAN SHALL NOT LIVE BY BREAD ALONE BUT BY EVERY WORD THAT PROCEEDETH OUT OF THE MOUTH OF GOD

  21. Hi Steve,
    I wasn’t sure if your post was a response to my question, but I definitely agree with you, especially concerning Matt 4:4, we live by God’s word, which is not ignorant nor has left us in darkness concerning our hope to come. My apologies if I appear to be stirring up strife, but I really would like to know what people believe. Acts 19:8 If you don’t specifically know the things to come, and feel as if we don’t need to know, I would appreciate a response saying so. Some people feel as if looking into specifics such as I am doing is not “faithful”, yet in Heb 1:1 faith is being sure of the things hoped for, so it seems as if knowing what it is we hope for can only strengthen our faith. Knowledge is essential salvation 2Tim 3:15-17, Hsa 4:1, Hsa 4:6, Hsa 6:3, Hsa 6:6

  24. – our spirit returns to our physical body –

    Our new celestial physical body not our old one.

    I’m glad I get a new one. This old is getting pretty saggy. 😉

  25. Here’s what Solomon said:

    Ecc 12:6 Or ever 3808 the silver 3701 cord 2256 be loosed 7576 7368, or the golden 2091 bowl 1543 be broken 7533, or the pitcher 3537 be broken 7665 at the fountain 4002, or the wheel 1534 broken 7533 at the cistern 953.

    I choose to believe when I take my last breath (in this old body) I will see Jesus sitting on the Mercy Seat and he will invite me to the right!

    The details are not important to me. Jesus is.

    • Solomon also said “For what happens to the sons of men also happens to animals; one thing befalls them: as one dies, so dies the other. Surely, they all have one breath; man has no advantage over animals, for all [is] vanity.” Ecc 3:19.

      I must ask then, how much knowledge should we peruse, because it is obvious we must know some specifics.

      -We must know Jesus John 14:6
      -We must know baptism Mark 16:16
      -We must know why we are baptized Romans 6:4-5
      -We must know the will of Yahweh Matt 7:21
      -We must know to break bread Luke 22:19
      -We must know why we break bread 1Cor 11:29
      -We must know faith Gal 3:11
      -We must know the importance of scripture 2Tim 3:14-17

      Knowledge is essential, and if the Word speaks on a topic, should we not listen? Hosea 4:6

    • Jer 17:9 “The heart is deceitful above all things…”

      Mark 7:21 “For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts…”

      Proverbs 14:12 “There is a way that seems right to a man, but it’s end is the way of death.”

      Let us not rely on our hearts, but in the scripture that is able to make one wise.

  27. Heart

    Strong’s H3820 – leb לֵב
    Transliteration leb

    1) inner man, mind, will, heart, understanding
    a) inner part, midst
    1) midst (of things)
    2) heart (of man)
    3) soul, heart (of man)
    4) mind, knowledge, thinking, reflection, memory
    5) inclination, resolution, determination (of will)
    6) conscience
    7) heart (of moral character)
    8) as seat of appetites
    9) as seat of emotions and passions
    10) as seat of courage

    • Ah crud!

      Look what a cut and paste did.

      On #8

      Shame on it!

      8. as seat of appetites

      Let’s take it the right way.

      Eating and drinking of the Book of Life for understanding.

      Seeee God has a real sense of humor 😉

      God loves us little children.
      I know he loves me!

  28. Jason

    When we have done all that we can to understand our step today

    David says,

    Psalm 149
    Psalm 150

    I’m going to dance and rejoice today.

    God told me on #8

    I love you Jesus!

    • Eat, drink, and be merry, for tomorrow we die?

      “If, in the manner of men, I have fought with beasts at Ephesus, what advantage [is it] to me? If [the] dead do not rise, “Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die!” Do not be deceived: “Evil company corrupts good habits.” Awake to righteousness, and do not sin; for some do not have the knowledge of God. I speak [this] to your shame. But someone will say, “How are the dead raised up? And with what body do they come?”…So also [is] the resurrection of the dead. [The body] is sown in corruption, it is raised in incorruption…It is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body…in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed…For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal [must] put on immortality.”

      Paul seemed it worthy enough to write about this subject to the ecclesias in Corinth, and it is pretty simply stated. Let us pursue the knowledge of Yahweh. Hsa 6:3

  29. Child of God

    Gal. 3:4-7;
    “But when the ullness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, 5To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons (and daughters). 6And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father. 7Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.”

    I love you Abba (PaPa)

  30. Paul spoke to their “shame” that they did not have the knowledge of the resurrection.

    “for some do not have the knowledge of God. I speak [this] to your shame. But someone will say, “How are the dead raised up? And with what body do they come?”

  32. Thank you for all your responses! I pray we may all come to an understanding of Yahweh, our God and Father, and Jesus His Son.

  33. Thank you Jason.

    Sing and dance.
    For this is the Day that the Lord has made.
    Rejoice and be glad in it.

    Psalm 149
    Psalm 150

  34. I love Blue Letter Bible!

    Rebecca this is so well said,

    …If the faith we have doesn’t change us, then it is a faith that won’t save us…. AMEN!!!!

  35. Absolutely Bridgette!

    After reading this long and sometimes torturously encircled thread you managed to point out the crux of the matter.

    Pointing us back to the very well drawn conclusion of Rebecca’s

    * …If the faith we have doesn’t change us, then it is a faith that won’t save us…. AMEN!!!! *

    David in Psalms and the Book of Proverbs also known as the Book of Knowledge, The Holy Spirit.

    Only the Lord can create in us a clean heart. A changed heart.

    Inevitably for all Christians the walk must begin with
    Psalm 51.

    Psa 51:1 ¶ [[To the chief Musician 5329 , A Psalm 4210 of David 1732, when Nathan 5416 the prophet 5030 came 935 unto him, after he had gone in 935 to Bathsheba 1339.]] Have mercy 2603 upon me, O God 430, according to thy lovingkindness 2617: according unto the multitude 7230 of thy tender mercies 7356 blot out 4229 my transgressions 6588.

    “clean” AND “heart”
    occurs in 4 verses in the KJV, including 2 exact phrases shown first.

    http://www.blueletterbible.org/search/translationResults.cfm?Criteria=clean+heart&t=KJV

    Below are the exact phrases.

    Psa 51:10 Create 1254 in me a clean 2889 heart 3820, O God 430; and renew 2318 a right 3559 spirit 7307 within 7130 me.

    Psa 73:1 [[A Psalm 4210 of Asaph 623.]] Truly God 430 [is] good 2896 to Israel 3478, [even] to such as are of a clean 1249 heart 3824.

    Here are the remaining matches.

    Psa 24:4 He that hath clean 5355 hands 3709, and a pure 1249 heart 3824; who hath not lifted up 5375 his soul 5315 unto vanity 7723, nor sworn 7650 deceitfully 4820.

    Pro 20:9 Who can say 559, I have made my heart 3820 clean 2135, I am pure 2891 from my sin 2403?

    Proverbs is also called the Book of Wisdom. Wisdom is the Holy Spirit.

    For those who lose their way on their individual personal walk way a close study of the Book of Galatians is our course corrective lead.

    All glory to the Lord God Almighty!

    Let us always encourage each other by the blessed Hope of the Power of the Cross.

    May all have the joy given to us by Holy Spirit today.

  36. Jason been out of town is there a death before we are born again is there more than one part of this death

    John 3:3 JESUS answered and said unto Verily Verily I say unto thee except a man be born again he cannot see the kingdom of GOD

    Romans 6:11 Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin but ALIVE unto GOD through JESUS CHRIST our LORD

    1st Corinthians 15:46 Howbeit that was not first which is spiritual but that which is natural and after that which is spiritual

    Mark 8:35 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it But whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospels the same shall save it

    1st Timothy 1:9-11 Knowing this that the law is not made for a righteous man but for the lawless and disobedient for the ungodly and for sinners for unholy and profane for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers for manslayers (10) for whoremongers for them that defile themselves with mankind for menstealers for liars for perjured persons and if there be any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine (11) according to the glorious gospel of the blessed GOD which was committed to my trust

    Romans 8:10 And IF CHRIST be in you the body is dead because of sin but the spirit is life because of righteousness

    Hebrews 5:13 For everyone that useth milk is unskillful in the WORD of righteousness

    Romans 6:18 Being then made free from sin you became the servants of righteousness

    Romans 6:20-22 For when you were the servants of sin you were free from righteousness (21) What fruit had you then in those things whereof you are now ashamed for the end of those things is death but now being freed from sin and become servants to GOD you have your fruit unto holiness and the end everlasting life

    Proverbs 8:8 All the words of my mouth are in righteousness there is nothing perverse or froward in them

    Psalm 119:172 My tongue shall speak of thy word for all thy commandments are righteousness

    2nd Timothy 3:16 All scripture is given by inspiration of GOD and is profitable for doctrine for reproof for correction for instruction in righteousness

    • Steve,
      The word death has many aspects that must be considered in scripture. To “die” does not always refer to a physical death, but may instead be referring to a change in mentality, in how we think and live. I’ll use some of your references for examples.

      Romans 6:11 “So you also must consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus.” Death here is not speaking of a physical death or a physical change that has taken place, rather it is a death of the sinful lifestyle/mentality. It a renewing of the mind, Rom 12:2, as can be seen in the context of chapter six, and by noting the phrase “consider yourself”. Rom 6:12 tells us that we are still in our “mortal body” and still tempted, but we should not give into it. This is elaborated on in chapter eight of Romans, Rom 8:1, Rom 8:5-7, Rom 8:13 “put to death the deeds of the body” One death that must take place is we must kill our sinful thinking, and fill it with the spirit/word of God.

      One must also go through a physical death/change (1cor15:51) to enter into the kingdom of God. This is the death mentioned in 1cor 15:46. It is the death/change from physical earthly body to the physical spiritual body Luke 24:39, Rom 8:11. This change is described in depth, 1cor 15:42-44, 1cor 15:46, 1cor 15:52-53.

      John 3 brings what I have said together. John 3:3 Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.” So what does it mean to be born again?

      John 3:5 We must be born of water (baptism, which as we saw above in Romans 6 and 8, represents our dying with Christ, although no physical change occurs, we must strive to live according to the spirit of Christ. This is the renewing of our minds, and a beginning of the process to write Yahweh’s laws on out heart Jer 31:33) and we must be born of the spirit (the physical change 1cor 15:44)

      I hope this makes clear what scripture presents concerning death, if you have some specific verses that you would like to present feel free.

      -With love in our Lord Jesus

  37. Thank you Steve! Whew!

    Your right on Scriptural posts were missed.

    Day By Day By Grace
    Bob Hoekstra
    November 19, 2011

    http://www.blueletterbible.org/devotionals/subscribe.cfm

    The “Much More” Grace of God

    “… For if by the one man’s offense death reigned through the one, much more those who receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ. (Romans 5:17)
    …

    God’s remedy for escaping the reign of death is two-fold: “those who receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ.” First, the “gift of righteousness” provides an acceptable standing in heaven before a holy, righteous God. “But now the righteousness of God apart from the law is revealed…even the righteousness of God which is through faith in Jesus Christ to all and on all who believe” (Romans 3:21-22). Second, “abundance of grace” provides the continual spiritual resources that are necessary for the development of a godly, victorious walk for the glory of God in the midst of humanity here on earth. Both of these wondrous provisions (“abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness”) are ours because of the relationship we have by faith with Jesus Christ: “through the One, Jesus Christ.”

    Heavenly Father, I realize that Your grace is much more than I have yet understood or experienced. I also see that it is much more than sufficient to reverse the effects of sin that may have impacted my life. So, I humbly reach out to You to receive from Your abundance of grace, that I might walk more victoriously, through Christ, Amen…”

  38. Day By Day By Grace
    Bob Hoekstra
    November 20, 2011

    Reigning in Life by the “Much More” Grace of God

    “… For if by the one man’s offense death reigned through the one, much more those who receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ. (Romans 5:17)
    …
    … victory must be received from the Lord. “But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Corinthians 15:57). “Give and receive” is the language of grace (which depends upon the work of God). “Earn and achieve” is the language of law (which depends upon the work of man)…”

    • Day By Day By Grace
      Bob Hoekstra
      November 21, 2011
      http://www.blueletterbible.org/devotionals/subscribe.cfm

      Sin Abounding, Grace Abounding “Much More”

      “… Sin once ruled our lives, bringing spiritual deadness, which increased with each day. Now, if grace is embraced to work in our lives, practical righteousness grows day by day bringing love, selflessness, kindness, fullness, hope, and the like. All of this is the qualitative aspect of the everlasting life that comes by the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ: “even so grace might reign through righteousness to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”

      Dear Lord, what a great encouragement these verses bring to my heart. The waves of past sin in my life, and the lives of others I minister to, can be dealt with by greater waves of Your life-giving grace. Lord, please flood my life with tidal waves of grace, producing righteousness in my life. Also, help me to point others in this direction of abundant hope, through Jesus Christ, Amen… ”

      Thank you Jesus for dying for my sins. You are my life-giver!

  39. On the stalk of human making there was a devine heart, that
    as a bud broke open, only to reveil its petals and burst open
    into a flower. To nail your sins to the cross means to break
    free from the bud that contrives you. Since Christ we have the
    opportunity to unwrap our petals, to bring our special fragrance, and bear fruit. For only by the fruit the tree is
    recognized, though the flower gives away already quite a lot….
    but there is little that makes a milk thistle bud different from
    a cherry bud. There is little that makes your body different from mine. To bring fruit you first need to blossom.
    Therefore break your heart, open those 4 chambers and unwrap the
    flowers. It is only the beginning. It is sin to remain in the bud.