I trust all is well, and you are keeping vigilant in this unbelievable time we are living in. I keep hoping that today will be the day of the appearing of the great God and our Savior, Jesus Christ, to snatch us all away from this world of misery and strife.
Yesterday, we were able to get through 1 Corinthians 15:24-28, after we spent the first few minutes discussing the benefits that our “new man” receives at salvation, that our old man can never experience. The old Adamic nature can only experience a cheap counterfeit to the genuine gifts given through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.
Romans 14:17: For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.
We experience these three benefits of being in Christ — righteousness (our old man is completely unrighteous); peace (our old man only knows fear, worry, envy, and strife); joy (our old man only experiences moments of happiness in an unhappy existence).
2 Timothy 1:7: For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.
Our old man Adamic nature is fearful, by nature. The gifts bestowed upon us to live out each day in victory are highlighted above. Please read the whole verse, and then only read the words in bold print. Does this not encourage us? Not only do we receive the character traits listed in Romans 14:17, but we are also empowered to walk in the power of the Holy Spirit, bask in the Agape love that only can be evident in the life of a born again believer, and a sound mind. The “old man” has knowledge, and the wisdom of this world, but only the new man, created in Christ Jesus, can experience a sound mind.
Proverbs 1:7: The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.
Our old Adamic nature despises the LORD! It is at enmity with God. It is a fool for the things of this world. Our new nature craves the wisdom that comes from above!
James 1:17: Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.
Let us all take each day, as it comes, living in the grace that is only found in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. As Paul encouraged the Galatians, may we all be encouraged. And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. Galatians 6:9
See you next Sunday on my FB page Live. Thank you, Pat Hegler, for making all this available!