The Word for Today with Ray: September 2019

Monday, September 30, 2019

Not Under the Law, But Under Grace Romans 6:15

Paul the apostle shared with the people in Rome, “sin shall not have dominion over you: for you are not under the law, but under grace”, and in chapter six and fifteen of Romans, Paul asked the Romans, “shall we sin, because we are not under the law” where we read:

What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid.

The verse begins, “What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, ...” Paul began with the question, “what then?” which means “then, therefore, accordingly, consequently and these things being so”? “shall we sin” or “should Paul, his companions and his believing readers miss the mark, err and be mistaken”, “because” or “since” “we are not under” which means “Paul, his companions and his believing readers are not beneath or subject to” “the law” which refers to “the rule producing a state acceptable to God”. Paul rhetorically questioned as to whether his readers believed they should continue to “sin” because they were no longer “beneath and subject to” God's “rule that is acceptable to Him”.

The verse goes on to say, “but under grace? God forbid.” Paul began with the word “but” or “nevertheless, notwithstanding, as an objection, exception or restriction, moreover” “under grace” or “beneath and subject to that which affords joy, pleasure, delight, sweetness, charm, loveliness and unmerited favor”? “God” which means “the Godhead bodily and trinity which is comprised of God the Father, Christ the Son and the Holy Spirit” “forbid” which means “certainly and absolutely not”. Paul emphatically stated that his believing readers should not “sin” because they are “under” God's “unmerited favor”.

When we meditate upon these words of Paul, we see how he presented the ridiculous idea that people who have received Jesus Christ as their personal “Savior and Lord” should keep “sinning” because they were not “beneath” “the law of God” but “subject to” His “unmerited favor”. “God forbid” basically means, “perish the thought” or this should never come to mind. Jesus Christ came into the world to “save sinners”, and their behavior from that point on should be one of “forbidding sin” in their lives rather than accepting that everything is okay because they are under “grace”. May the Lord teach all who read these words the importance of keeping “sin” out of their lives and following that which is pleasing to the Lord Jesus.

Next time Paul asks the people in Rome, “whom you yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants you are to whom you obey”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore.

Sin Shall Not Have Dominion Over You Romans 6:14

Paul the apostle told the people in Rome, “Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that you should obey it in the lusts thereof”, and he instructed them to, “yield” their “members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God.” In chapter six and fourteen of Romans, Paul told his readers, “sin shall not have dominion over you” where we read:

For sin shall not have dominion over you: for you are not under the law, but under grace.

The verse begins, “For sin shall not have dominion over you:” Paul began with the word, “for” which means “even as, indeed, no doubt, seeing then, verily and therefore” “sin” or “missing the mark, erring or being mistaken” “shall not have dominion over” or “will not lord, rule, exercise power or have power over” “you” which means “Paul's believing readers”. Paul shared with his “believing readers” how “missing the mark and error” will no longer have “power and influence” over them.

The verse goes on to say, “for you are not under the law, but under grace.. Paul began with the word “for” or “even as, indeed, no doubt, seeing then, verily and therefore” “you are not under” or “Paul's believing readers beneath that which is higher” “the law” which refers to “the rule producing a state approved of God ”, “but” or “nevertheless, nonetheless, as an objection or exception, moreover and therefore” “under grace” which means “beneath that which affords joy, pleasure, delight, sweetness, charm, loveliness and unmerited favor”. The reason “sin” would not have “power and dominion” over Paul's believing readers was because they were not longer “beneath and subject to” “the rule producing a state approved of God”.

When we consider these words of Paul, we see how Jesus Christ fulfilled God's law and pushed the “power and dominion” of “sin” away from all who believe and trust in Him. No longer does “sin” have to “rule” in the “believer's heart” because they are now under “God's unmerited favor” and not His judgment. This is glorious news for those who put their “faith and trust” in Jesus Christ and His finished work on the cross. “Sin” no longer has “dominion” because Jesus Christ has defeated “sin” for all who believe.

Next time Paul asks the people in Rome, “shall we sin, because we are not under the law”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Yield Your Members to God Romans 6:13

Paul the apostle instructed the people in Rome, “Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that you should obey it in the lusts thereof”, and in chapter six and thirteen of Romans, Paul told his readers not to, “”yield you your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin” where we read:

Neither yield you your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God.

The verse begins, “Neither yield you your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin:” Paul began with the words, “neither” which means “but not or even” “yield you your members” or “place beside or near , present or proffer Paul's believing readers' bodies or parts of the bodies” “as instruments” or “tools or implements for preparing a thing, weapons or arms used in warfare” “of unrighteousness” which means “injustices, deeds violating law and justice, unjustness and iniquity” “unto sin” which means “to missing the mark, erring and being mistaken”. Paul's readers were not to submit their “bodies” to be used for “unrighteous” activities.

The verse goes on to say, “but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God”. Paul began with the word “but” which is a disassociation conjunction that means what is about to be written takes precedence over what was just stated “yield yourselves” or “place beside or near, present or proffer Paul's believing readers” “unto God” which refers to “the Godhead bodily and trinity which is comprised of God the Father, Christ the Son and the Holy Spirit”, “as those that are alive” which means “like people who live, quick and lively” “from the dead” or “out and away from one who has breathed his last, lifeless, deceased and departed”, “and your members” which refers to “and his believing readers' bodies or parts of the bodies” “as instruments” or “tools or implements for preparing a thing, weapons or arms used in warfare” “of righteousness” which means “the state of him who is as he ought to be and the condition acceptable to God” “unto sin” or “to missing the mark, erring and being mistaken”. The believers in Rome were to “submit” themselves to “God” and use their “bodies” for “righteous” activities because they were “dead to sin” and “alive” unto Him.

When we think through these words of Paul, we see how he instructed the people in Rome not to use their “bodies” for “deeds that violate” God's law, however they were to use their “bodies” to follow after “God's righteousness”. When people receive Jesus Christ as their personal “Savior and Lord”, they become “dead” to their “sins” and “alive” unto “God”. “God's ways” are to be their new way of life, and “righteousness” should be manifested in their bodies.

Next time Paul tells the people in Rome, “sin shall not have dominion over you”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Sunday, September 29, 2019

Let Not Sin Reign Romans 6:12

Paul the apostle told the people in Rome, “reckon you also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord”, and in chapter six and twelve of Romans, Paul told his believing readers, “let not sin...reign in your mortal body” where we read:

Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that you should obey it in the lusts thereof.

The verse begins, “Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, ...” Paul began with the words, “let not” which means “do not allow or permit” “sin” or “missing the mark, erring or being mistaken” “therefore” or “then, accordingly, consequently and these things being so” “reign” which means “have kingly power, rule, dominion or governance” “in your mortal body” which means “within the believing readers' physical and liable to death corpses”. Paul told his readers not to allow “missing the mark and error” from God's law to “rule and have dominion” in their “physical bodies”.

The verse goes on to say, “... that you should obey it in the lusts thereof.” Paul added the words, “that you should obey it” which means “that Paul's believing readers should not listen, hearken, be submissive to sin” “in the lusts” or “within the desires and cravings for what is forbidden” “thereof” or “within them”. Paul told his believing readers they should not “submit or hearken” to “sin's” “passion and desires”.

When we meditate upon these words of Paul, we see how he exhorted his believing readers not to allow “sin” to rule in their physical bodies. They were not to be “obedient” to the “passions and desires” of the flesh, and rather allow the Lord Jesus to have “rule” in their lives. Jesus Christ came to “fulfill” the “law of God”, paid the price for “sin” on the cross and “rose from the dead” to defeat “sin's penalty” and “power”. Rather than “yielding” to the “desires and lusts” of the flesh, those who believe in Jesus should call upon the Lord Jesus to help them overcome “sinful behaviors”, and those who are wise shall realize the power that comes from “yielding” to God through Him.

Next time Paul tells the people in Rome, “neither yield your members as instruments of unrighteousness”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Reckoned to be Dead to Sin and Alive to God Romans 6:11

Paul the apostle shared with the people in Rome, “Christ being raised from the dead dies no more; death has no more dominion over him”, and he added, “For in that he died, he died unto sin once: but in that he liveth, he lives unto God.” In chapter six and ten of Romans, Paul told the Romans to, “reckon” themselves “dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God” where we read:

Likewise reckon you also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin,

but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.

The verse begins, “Likewise reckon you also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, ...” Paul began with the word, “likewise” which means “in this manner and thus” “reckon you also” or “ Paul's readers in Rome were to count, compute, calculate and make an account even so and indeed” “yourselves” or “Paul's readers in Rome” “to be dead indeed” which means “to exist even so, truly, certainly and surely as one who has breathed his last, lifeless, deceased, departed, without life and inanimate” “unto sin” or “toward missing the mark, erring and being mistaken”. Even as Jesus was “dead unto sin”, Paul desired for his readers to be the same.

The verse goes on to say, “... but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.” Paul added the word, “but” which is a disassociation conjunction that means what is about to be written takes precedence over what was just stated “alive” or “breathing, among the living, active, blessed, full of vigor, strong, efficient, powerful and efficacious” “unto God” or “toward the Godhead bodily and trinity which is comprised of God the Father, Christ the Son and the Holy Spirit” “through Jesus” “by way of” the one whose name means “Jehovah is Salvation” and is “the Son of God, the Savior of mankind and God incarnate” “Christ” who is “the anointed One, the Messiah and the Son of God” “our Lord” or “Paul, his companions and his believing readers' one to whom a person or thing belongs, about which he has power of deciding; master and the title given to God the Messiah”. Though Paul desired for his readers to follow Jesus' example of being “dead to sin”, he also wanted them to “live” anew by the power of “Jesus Christ”.

When we consider these words of Paul, we recognize his resolve to have his readers be “dead unto sin” like Jesus was, and he wanted them to “live toward God”. Because of Jesus Christ, “living unto God” became available to everyone who believes and trusts in Him. Believers in Jesus are able to “count” “themselves” “lifeless and departed” from “sin” and eternally “active and efficacious” to God. May all who read these words see the value in having a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.

Next time Paul tells the people in Rome, “let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Dying to Sin Once and Living to God Romans 6:10

Paul the apostle shared with the people in Rome, “if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him”, and he added, “knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dies no more; death has no more dominion over him.” In chapter six and ten of Romans, Paul shared how Jesus, “died unto sin once” where we read:

For in that he died, he died unto sin once: but in that he lives, he lives unto God.

The verse begins, “For in that he died, he died unto sin once:” Paul began with the word, “for” which means “even as, indeed, seeing then, no doubt, verily and therefore” “in that he died” which refers to “since and because Jesus perished and was slain”, “he died” or “Jesus perished and was slain” “unto sin once” which means “to missing the mark, error and being mistaken one time or once and for all”. Paul shared when Jesus “died”, He only had to do so “one time”.

The verse goes on to say, “but in that he lives, he lives unto God.” Paul added the word, “but” which is a disassociation conjunction that means what is about to be written takes precedence over what was just stated “in that he lives” or “because Jesus breathes, is among the living, is active and has life” “he lives” or “Jesus breathes, is among the living, is active and has life” “unto God” or “toward the Godhead bodily and trinity which is comprised of God the Father, Christ the Son and the Holy Spirit”. Paul shared how Jesus now “lives” unto God the Father.

When we think through these words of Paul, we see how there only needs to be “one death” because of “sin”. Jesus “died” one time for the “sins” of the world, and when He was “raised from the dead”, He was “resurrected” unto “eternal life” with God the Father. Jesus lived a perfect life, died for others' “sins”, and was “raised” to “new life” in God, and now everyone who “believes and trusts” in Him shall be saved. People who put their “faith and trust” in Jesus shall also “die” physically “unto sin once”, but they shall also “live” spiritually “unto God”.

Next time Paul tells the people in Rome to, “reckon you also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Saturday, September 28, 2019

Dead and Alive with Christ Romans 6:8

Paul the apostle told the people in Rome, “ our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin”, and he added, “he that is dead is freed from sin”. In chapter six and verse eight of Romans, Paul shared how we are, “dead” and “alive” “with Christ” where we read:

Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him:

The verse begins, “Now if we be dead with Christ, ...” Paul began with the word, “now” which means “at this present time and moment” “if we be dead” which means “whether Paul, his companions and his believing readers are perished and slain” “with Christ” or “alongside the anointed One, the Messiah and the Son of God”. Paul desired for his readers to consider the idea of being “dead” with Jesus.

The verse continues, “... we believe that we shall also live with him:” Paul added the words, “we believe” which means “Paul, his companions and his believing readers think to be true, are persuaded of, trust and have confidence” “that we shall also” or “that Paul, his companions and his believing readers will even so and indeed” “live” or “continue and survive” “with him” which refers to “Jesus”. Paul concluded that “believers” in Jesus who identify with Him in His “death” will continue to “live” with Him as well.

When we consider these words of Paul, we see how “life” is promised with a relationship with Jesus. Jesus said, “God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten son, that whosoever believes in him, should not perish, but have everlasting life”, (John 3:16), and those who put their “faith and trust” in Jesus, though they shall die physically, are promised “eternal life” with God.

Next time Paul tells the people in Rome, “if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.