I recently had a conversation with a friend about Romans 8, and the law from the old testament in the bible. Paul explains what it means to have life through the Holy Spirit in Romans 8. This chapter is one of the most important chapters in the bible I believe because it explicitly tells us believers that we are free from the law. For some, this might be somewhat confusing to grasp, and I'll admit that I am still learning how this applies to my life. The law was created by God to reveal what sin is to the Israelites. For those who are familiar with the bible; recall when God wrote the ten commandments as a guideline of the biblical principles for God's chosen people to follow.
What was pointed out to me during this conversation was that the ten commandments were not meant for the gentiles. However, this does not mean us gentiles are free to live in sin. Romans 8:1 says "Therefore, there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus" The Israelites did not have Jesus in the old testament and were required to live according to the law. There were severe penalties for those who broke one of the commandments. The laws are still a guideline for us to live by today, as it reveals if we are walking in the spirit or in the flesh. When you walk in the spirit you are under grace, but when you walk in the flesh you are under the law and will be judged by the law.
How do you know if you are walking in the flesh? Galatians 5 says the acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.
How do you know you are walking in the spirit? the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.
What was pointed out to me during this conversation was that the ten commandments were not meant for the gentiles. However, this does not mean us gentiles are free to live in sin. Romans 8:1 says "Therefore, there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus" The Israelites did not have Jesus in the old testament and were required to live according to the law. There were severe penalties for those who broke one of the commandments. The laws are still a guideline for us to live by today, as it reveals if we are walking in the spirit or in the flesh. When you walk in the spirit you are under grace, but when you walk in the flesh you are under the law and will be judged by the law.
How do you know if you are walking in the flesh? Galatians 5 says the acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.
How do you know you are walking in the spirit? the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.
No comments:
Post a Comment