The BIG Picture (Shorts)

Part 3 of 3 • ⏱️ 2-Min Read Passage: Romans 7:14-25 Scripture Focus: "O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death? I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin." (Rom.7:24-25) Today's Lesson The apostle details a vital struggle that every believer recognizes: the ongoing warfare between the renewed mind and indwelling sin residing within physical flesh. The law of God is spiritual, holy, and good, yet the believer remains in a corruptible body where sin still dwells. This passage does not describe an unsaved individual trying to keep the law, nor does it present a normal pattern for Christian living under grace. Instead, it exposes the complete inability of the flesh to produce righteousness, even when a person possesses a sincere desire to obey God. Trying to use the law as a rule of life produces frustration because the flesh possesses no spiritual power...

Paul divides people, by the Spirit, into four classes: the natural man, the babe in Christ, the carnal believer, and the spiritual believer. All four of these are referred to in 1Cor.2:14-3:4 and they are classified by their ability to appreciate and assimilate “the things of God” as revealed in His Word. THE NATURAL MAN is unsaved and spiritual things are foolishness to him. THE SPIRITUAL MAN through diligent study of the Word, and with a sincere desire to obey it, has come to know God and Jesus Christ more and more intimately. BABES IN CHRIST and CARNAL BELIEVERS are saved, but cannot “discern” him, not being able to bear the milk, thus, they seek to know him through temporal things; through works, emotions, traditions, and ordinances. But he, having grown to spiritual maturity, is among those of whom it is written:  Heb. 5:14 “But strong meat [deeper doctrine] belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good...

In the Old Testament, God separated Israel from the nations to distinguished them as a great nation through law and ordinances, but all Israel wanted was to be like the Gentiles. Then, in the New Testament, God finally came to us Gentiles with a new grace doctrine and salvation, and all we want is to be like Israel. Isn't that so typical of humans! They always want and do the exact opposite of whatever God says! Why? Due to sin, our carnal mind, by nature, is at enmity with God, Rom 8:7-8. Enmity with God is not merely passive disagreement; it involves active opposition and a heart set against God's will. We don't try to be like this. We are born like this! But thankfully, God has made a way. The gospel invites us to reconcile with God through faith in Jesus Christ, breaking the enmity and completely restoring our relationship with Him. See the image above and be encouraged and edified by this incredible passage from Paul epistle, Rom 5:8-11. ______________ Join my WhatsAp...