According to 1Co 15:56, “The sting of death is sin”. Therefore it could be said that the “sting of death” is another term for the word sin. This so called sting of death which is sin can be determined as follows:
• It is a sin “I hate to do I do”
• It is the sin dwelling and living in the members of the body
• It is a sin ingrained and deeply rooted in the whole being
• It is a sin that create a cycle of defeat
• It is a struggling sin
The adverse effect of the sting of death: Lack of spiritual life
• Lack of prayer
• Lack of reading the bible
• Lack of joy of belonging (fellowship)
• Lack of desire to witness
• Lack of self-discipline and self-control
We have to work out something to remove the sting of death or the sin. However completely removing the sting will takes time and it’s not easy. Because the sting is in our whole being since we are in our mother wombs. And during in our childhood slavery to sin begins to stem inwardly and it adversely affect us as we grow. It becomes more active and stronger until sin becomes our master.
As I said we have to work out something. We have to work a particular work that will save us completely from the sting of death. Otherwise, if we did not deal with this thing death (lack of spiritual life) will manifest. Much worse, the lust of the eyes and lust of the flesh shall emerge which lead us to death. Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death. (Jas 1:15) When death arrives going back to the former condition shall emerge again. It is likely where the “unclean spirit” that gone out will return with seven others (Mat 12:43-45). In the Bible and even in our times many known “man of God” and ministers that had fallen back into willful sin the unclean spirit are manifesting in them.
As what mentioned many times, surpassing the law is the only means whereby a saved person will be saved completely from the sting of death.
When a saved person surpasses the law his mind will change. When his mind is change eventually his attitude will change. One by one virtues and character will be develop. Spiritually and literally everything will change from glory to glory. From being carnal mind unto spiritual mind until it becomes molded like the mind of Christ-like Christ.
Showing posts with label death. Show all posts
Showing posts with label death. Show all posts
Chapter 4: Is the Sting Really Gone?
O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. (1Co 15:55-57)
As what the scriptures said above, we have victory and many believers believe the sting of death or the sting itself was gone. Is it really gone?
Two important points we as Christian must fully understand about these verses.
1. We have the Victory but only in the spiritual realm.
In the spiritual realm we already gained the victory God gives it to us through our Lord Jesus. The devil, the sin, death and law has no more power to undertake our spiritual position in Christ (2 Cor 5:17).
“In the spiritual realm we are victorious through Christ, he conquered death, sin, and the world. But in the natural realm as we are in this physical body we must overcome, wrestle and gain victory on the sin dwelling in the member of our body which is the flesh that is contrary to the desire of the Spirit”
2. We have to gain Victory in the natural realm which related to our physical being.
Understand that our whole being consist of the unseen and that can be seen, our spiritual being-the unseen and our physical being which can be seen. We have no problem in the spiritual being because it was already given complete solution through Christ.
Regarding the physical being which is also called the physical body the problem of sin is not yet resolve. The condition of the body is in a real danger of the fire of hell (Read Mar 9:43-48; Rom 7:15-20). This body that the bible called “flesh” must be conquered and must be put to death. The bible said, flesh is contrary to the spirit, the spirit regenerated by the Spirit of God resides within us. The flesh always contends to the desire of the Spirit, that’s why as what apostle Paul said “What I want to do I cannot do”, is the same thing happening within us (Rom 7:15-20). In our inmost being we want to pray and read the bible wherein our spirit is very willing. But the body which is the flesh is in no way cooperating what the spirit desires. (Gal 5:17)
Why vast majority of professing Christians their faith has been destroyed, others abandoned the faith and many are weak or have dead-faith? We must recognize the root caused how and why it happens. And we must find the core of sin as of where is sin first conceive and occur.
• It is the sting of death which is sin living in our physical being which in our body the flesh as of what was Paul seen in his own body was the sin who do it (Rom 7:20). Jesus said it is better to pluck out the right eye and cut the hand if it caused us to commit sin and throw it out than your whole body be thrown in hell. (Mat 5:29-30)
• It is the sting that makes us not doing the good things we want to do such as to pray, read, meditate and other spiritual thing necessary for spiritual growth. In simple statements, the sting makes us lazy in the things of God while it pulls us to be crazy to the lust of the eyes, lust of the flesh and to the pride of life.
• The flesh that has sting ingrained in our being keep pulling us to the sin we (inwardly) hate of doing. Unless we are not full of Holy Spirit we cannot powerfully overcome the sin dwelling in the members of our body. Neglect of the things of God consequently leads us not to become victor but a victim. It was said that, “lack prayer, less power”. In addition, the more ignoring (not surpassing) the law which is the Ten Commandments, the more sin will keep you falling back to your former condition.
• And to be more accurate, it is in the mind where the very core of the problem lies. In our inner self there was called the “Battle of the Mind” many Christians are unaware of. They overlook of what the bible said that we are call to fight the enemy not with carnal weapons (Eph 6:12). We must wage war and the fight begins first in the mind. But when Christian lacks spiritual disciplines (such as prayer and the Word) it will results to a carnal minds. And in reality in the church there are Christians who are called carnal Christian. Their one foot is in the church and the other foot is on the world.
Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death. (Jas 1:15)
Therefore, DO SOMETHING to be save completely from the "sting of death". And that something a saved person should do is to surpass the Law.
Next Page
As what the scriptures said above, we have victory and many believers believe the sting of death or the sting itself was gone. Is it really gone?
Two important points we as Christian must fully understand about these verses.
1. We have the Victory but only in the spiritual realm.
In the spiritual realm we already gained the victory God gives it to us through our Lord Jesus. The devil, the sin, death and law has no more power to undertake our spiritual position in Christ (2 Cor 5:17).
“In the spiritual realm we are victorious through Christ, he conquered death, sin, and the world. But in the natural realm as we are in this physical body we must overcome, wrestle and gain victory on the sin dwelling in the member of our body which is the flesh that is contrary to the desire of the Spirit”
2. We have to gain Victory in the natural realm which related to our physical being.
Understand that our whole being consist of the unseen and that can be seen, our spiritual being-the unseen and our physical being which can be seen. We have no problem in the spiritual being because it was already given complete solution through Christ.
Regarding the physical being which is also called the physical body the problem of sin is not yet resolve. The condition of the body is in a real danger of the fire of hell (Read Mar 9:43-48; Rom 7:15-20). This body that the bible called “flesh” must be conquered and must be put to death. The bible said, flesh is contrary to the spirit, the spirit regenerated by the Spirit of God resides within us. The flesh always contends to the desire of the Spirit, that’s why as what apostle Paul said “What I want to do I cannot do”, is the same thing happening within us (Rom 7:15-20). In our inmost being we want to pray and read the bible wherein our spirit is very willing. But the body which is the flesh is in no way cooperating what the spirit desires. (Gal 5:17)
Why vast majority of professing Christians their faith has been destroyed, others abandoned the faith and many are weak or have dead-faith? We must recognize the root caused how and why it happens. And we must find the core of sin as of where is sin first conceive and occur.
• It is the sting of death which is sin living in our physical being which in our body the flesh as of what was Paul seen in his own body was the sin who do it (Rom 7:20). Jesus said it is better to pluck out the right eye and cut the hand if it caused us to commit sin and throw it out than your whole body be thrown in hell. (Mat 5:29-30)
• It is the sting that makes us not doing the good things we want to do such as to pray, read, meditate and other spiritual thing necessary for spiritual growth. In simple statements, the sting makes us lazy in the things of God while it pulls us to be crazy to the lust of the eyes, lust of the flesh and to the pride of life.
• The flesh that has sting ingrained in our being keep pulling us to the sin we (inwardly) hate of doing. Unless we are not full of Holy Spirit we cannot powerfully overcome the sin dwelling in the members of our body. Neglect of the things of God consequently leads us not to become victor but a victim. It was said that, “lack prayer, less power”. In addition, the more ignoring (not surpassing) the law which is the Ten Commandments, the more sin will keep you falling back to your former condition.
• And to be more accurate, it is in the mind where the very core of the problem lies. In our inner self there was called the “Battle of the Mind” many Christians are unaware of. They overlook of what the bible said that we are call to fight the enemy not with carnal weapons (Eph 6:12). We must wage war and the fight begins first in the mind. But when Christian lacks spiritual disciplines (such as prayer and the Word) it will results to a carnal minds. And in reality in the church there are Christians who are called carnal Christian. Their one foot is in the church and the other foot is on the world.
Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death. (Jas 1:15)
Therefore, DO SOMETHING to be save completely from the "sting of death". And that something a saved person should do is to surpass the Law.
Next Page
Chapter 1: The Paradox of the Biblical Salvation
Paradox – “A statement seemingly absurd or self-contradictory, but really found in truth”
Created by:
Elmer's Work
Updated July 21, 2008
Copyright 2008
Christ Admonition on the Law
“Anyone who breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven” Matt.5:19-20
The Paradox of the Biblical Salvation
“Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed-not only in my presence, but how much more in my absence-continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling”. Phil.2:12
“For you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls”. 1 Pet.1:9
By carefully analyzing the two verses, it is very logical to think that there’s must be something needed to be done before a salvation can be attained. The verses shows that one must act towards salvation until it becomes complete or until the goal have been achieved. The verse implies works that are progressive. The Paradox of the Biblical Salvation is that Salvation is by Faith and equal by Works.
The emphasis gave by the Apostle Paul instructing the Philippians to be more obedient and continue to “work out the salvation” was for a reason not because they have not yet received the so called “Sola Fide” (salvation through faith alone) and not because they are not yet assured of salvation. What Paul meant here is that one must continue to work and make every effort to save themselves from what is called the “Sting of Death.” The so called “Sting of Death” means nothing else but sin. (The sting of death is sin 1 Cor.15:56)
It's very clear apostle Paul and Peter is not talking to the unbelievers-the unsaved. They talk straight to the believers instructing them to make effort to "Work Out the Salvation".
Next Page
Created by:
Elmer's Work
Updated July 21, 2008
Copyright 2008
Christ Admonition on the Law
“Anyone who breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven” Matt.5:19-20
The Paradox of the Biblical Salvation
“Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed-not only in my presence, but how much more in my absence-continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling”. Phil.2:12
“For you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls”. 1 Pet.1:9
By carefully analyzing the two verses, it is very logical to think that there’s must be something needed to be done before a salvation can be attained. The verses shows that one must act towards salvation until it becomes complete or until the goal have been achieved. The verse implies works that are progressive. The Paradox of the Biblical Salvation is that Salvation is by Faith and equal by Works.
The emphasis gave by the Apostle Paul instructing the Philippians to be more obedient and continue to “work out the salvation” was for a reason not because they have not yet received the so called “Sola Fide” (salvation through faith alone) and not because they are not yet assured of salvation. What Paul meant here is that one must continue to work and make every effort to save themselves from what is called the “Sting of Death.” The so called “Sting of Death” means nothing else but sin. (The sting of death is sin 1 Cor.15:56)
It's very clear apostle Paul and Peter is not talking to the unbelievers-the unsaved. They talk straight to the believers instructing them to make effort to "Work Out the Salvation".
Next Page
The Sting of Death
The Sting of Death
“Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed-not only in my presence, but how much more in my absence-continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling”. Phil.2:12
“For you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls”. 1 Pet.1:9
By carefully analyzing the two verses, it is very logical to think that there’s must be something needed to be done before a salvation can be attained. The verses states that one must act towards salvation until it becomes complete or until the goal have been achieved. The verse implies works that are progressive. The Paradox of the Biblical Salvation is that Salvation is by Faith and equal by Works.
The emphasis gave by the Apostle Paul instructing the Philippians to be more obedient and continue to “work out the salvation” was for a reason not because they have not yet received the so called “Sola Fide” (salvation through faith alone) and not because they are not yet assured of salvation. What Paul meant here is that one must continue to work and make every effort to save themselves from what is called the “Sting of Death.” The so called “Sting of Death” means nothing else but sin. (The sting of death is sin 1 Cor. 15:56)
Sting means “to inject someone with toxin (venom)’’ and death means a “lack of spiritual life” (Encarta Dictionary). Therefore, the sting of death is a sin (toxin or venom) that poisons the whole being and this brought about a spiritual death- lack of spiritual life. The physical body is alive but the spiritual well being is dead. Man is living in sin and his entire whole being was dominated by the power of sin.
Commentary:
The sting of death is sin. This gives venom to his dart: this alone puts it into the power of death to hurt and kill.Sin is the parent of death, and gives it all its hurtful power. (from Matthew Henry's Commentary)
The sting of death is sin because it is by sin that death gains authority over man, and it is by the law that sin gains its strength. The Law, then, stirred up sin, which led to death. (from The Wycliffe Bible Commentary)
Origin of the “Sting”
In Genesis 2, the Lord commanded Adam and Eve not to eat the fruit from the “Tree of knowledge of good and evil.” The Lord warned them that if they eat the fruit, they will die. However, because of Satan's craftiness and deception, Adam and Eve disobey the Lord and ate the fruit. After just a few moments, they didn’t die physically right away. The thing that had been taken place to both of them was actually a spiritual death. Their defiance against the Lord resulted to spiritual death. They become separated from God. The presence and the fellowship between God and the first man come to a death-lack of spiritual life. That’s why according to John 3:3, all people must be born again because all are spiritually dead. All must be born in water and spirit.
According to Romans 3:3, “The wages of sin is death.” So, therefore, whenever a Christian sin and live with sin, death arrives resulting to spiritual death- lack of spiritual life-lack of zest unto God. These are eventually being manifested as in the following: lack of desire to read the word of God and pray, lack of joy of belonging (fellowship), lack of interests on things of God, and lacking many things. At the very start of their Christian life, they are very eager to praise, worship and serve the Lord. However, along the way because of the sting of death (which is sin), one slowly loss the passion for the Christian way of life. The life of a Christian is in the Spirit- in the Spirit of God while the death comes from the sin committed, making him/her spiritually dead. All the way, all sin leads to spiritual death.
Therefore, we could say that the root caused of how and why many Christians often failed to experience God and His presence, it was because the “Sting of Death” in which originally came from Adam and Eve were effectually at work when sin is committed. Since the beginning and until now, the poisonous venom of the Old Snake (Satan) continues to affect the whole well-being of a Christian. This poison is like a pestilence growing and spreading throughout the world affecting all creations. Also, this is like a disease that infected a person and spreads to all the races and generations. It is like an infectious disease that always recurs even after a period of temporary healing and the person starts to weaken again that lead to spiritual death.
The sting which is the sin was ingrained and deeply rooted in our whole being. That’s why every one of us has ingrained habits, and that habits are not that easy to remove. Also it’s the sting that makes us to have a sinful nature. We must completely remove the sting and be save from its power.
We should be saved from the “Sting”
In the book of Numbers 21:4-9, God commanded Moses to create a “Bronze
Serpent” and raise it up so that anyone bitten by a snake who look at it will be saved from the fierce sting of the snake at death. Just like the Israelites, we must be saved from the sting of death. Each one of us had been bitten by the serpent (satan) and the sting (the sin) had brought in us evil effect throughout in our whole being. We became slave to sin and we always follow whatever desires of the flesh. It is undeniable, we craves for the things desires by the flesh (Gal.5:19-21). This are the real concerned of the Apostle Paul to the Philippians believers when he said that they must continue to work in order to completely take away the sting and at the same time for complete deliverance against its ill effects.
There is a truth that we need to see and understand as true believers of Jesus as our Lord and Savior. In the spiritual realm, we are saved from the judgment of fire in hell, our sins forgiven, we become holy and we become a new person. These we freely received in exchange for the sacrificial works of Christ. However, in natural realm or in reality, all of us have sinned, keep sinning and getting enslave by sin. This is the truth that even we, as a believer, still commit sin. Is there among us who never commit sin? There is none! It is so sad to think that many Christians continued to commit sin and enslaved by the sin they knew is sinful and evil. If not, however, they ceased to grow and always return to committing sin again and again. It is also sad that for many, serving and worshipping the Lord has been only a ritual. This is because of the Sting of Death, which had clung and deeply ingrained in to one person, has never been completely removed. This disease or this “cancer of the soul” is very dangerous and contagious that if not completely treated with a right and perfect cure death and the fire of hell might awaits.
Another important thing that we need to understand is that the Sting of Death is the reason why we become slaves of sin. Our sinful nature have been there of long ago even when we were still in our mother’s womb. This is the main reason why man continued to commit sin ever since childhood. Even becoming a Christian, we continued to commit sin. When we became children of God, we did not immediately change in an instant. In fact, when we became born-again, we start as a “spiritual babies” born in the family of God. Just like a baby it needs to feed and grow and become a mature man. As a born-again Christian, we also need to grow and mature on the things of God. Thus, a Christian needs to continue to work in order to progressively free himself from the slavery of sin until he is completely saved from the ‘’Sting of Death’’.
Working out your salvation is more appropriate to examine and focus the study on the Apostle Paul mentioning the law, the sin and his experience in struggling with sin. In the proceeding chapter we will look at the writings of the Apostle Paul to the Romans about those matters. We will analyze about what he found out about to himself during in his struggles with sin in which eventually he overcome. Likewise, we will fully understand that we need to work continually in order for us to be completely saved.
Continue reading...
“Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed-not only in my presence, but how much more in my absence-continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling”. Phil.2:12
“For you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls”. 1 Pet.1:9
By carefully analyzing the two verses, it is very logical to think that there’s must be something needed to be done before a salvation can be attained. The verses states that one must act towards salvation until it becomes complete or until the goal have been achieved. The verse implies works that are progressive. The Paradox of the Biblical Salvation is that Salvation is by Faith and equal by Works.
The emphasis gave by the Apostle Paul instructing the Philippians to be more obedient and continue to “work out the salvation” was for a reason not because they have not yet received the so called “Sola Fide” (salvation through faith alone) and not because they are not yet assured of salvation. What Paul meant here is that one must continue to work and make every effort to save themselves from what is called the “Sting of Death.” The so called “Sting of Death” means nothing else but sin. (The sting of death is sin 1 Cor. 15:56)
Sting means “to inject someone with toxin (venom)’’ and death means a “lack of spiritual life” (Encarta Dictionary). Therefore, the sting of death is a sin (toxin or venom) that poisons the whole being and this brought about a spiritual death- lack of spiritual life. The physical body is alive but the spiritual well being is dead. Man is living in sin and his entire whole being was dominated by the power of sin.
Commentary:
The sting of death is sin. This gives venom to his dart: this alone puts it into the power of death to hurt and kill.Sin is the parent of death, and gives it all its hurtful power. (from Matthew Henry's Commentary)
The sting of death is sin because it is by sin that death gains authority over man, and it is by the law that sin gains its strength. The Law, then, stirred up sin, which led to death. (from The Wycliffe Bible Commentary)
Origin of the “Sting”
In Genesis 2, the Lord commanded Adam and Eve not to eat the fruit from the “Tree of knowledge of good and evil.” The Lord warned them that if they eat the fruit, they will die. However, because of Satan's craftiness and deception, Adam and Eve disobey the Lord and ate the fruit. After just a few moments, they didn’t die physically right away. The thing that had been taken place to both of them was actually a spiritual death. Their defiance against the Lord resulted to spiritual death. They become separated from God. The presence and the fellowship between God and the first man come to a death-lack of spiritual life. That’s why according to John 3:3, all people must be born again because all are spiritually dead. All must be born in water and spirit.
According to Romans 3:3, “The wages of sin is death.” So, therefore, whenever a Christian sin and live with sin, death arrives resulting to spiritual death- lack of spiritual life-lack of zest unto God. These are eventually being manifested as in the following: lack of desire to read the word of God and pray, lack of joy of belonging (fellowship), lack of interests on things of God, and lacking many things. At the very start of their Christian life, they are very eager to praise, worship and serve the Lord. However, along the way because of the sting of death (which is sin), one slowly loss the passion for the Christian way of life. The life of a Christian is in the Spirit- in the Spirit of God while the death comes from the sin committed, making him/her spiritually dead. All the way, all sin leads to spiritual death.
Therefore, we could say that the root caused of how and why many Christians often failed to experience God and His presence, it was because the “Sting of Death” in which originally came from Adam and Eve were effectually at work when sin is committed. Since the beginning and until now, the poisonous venom of the Old Snake (Satan) continues to affect the whole well-being of a Christian. This poison is like a pestilence growing and spreading throughout the world affecting all creations. Also, this is like a disease that infected a person and spreads to all the races and generations. It is like an infectious disease that always recurs even after a period of temporary healing and the person starts to weaken again that lead to spiritual death.
The sting which is the sin was ingrained and deeply rooted in our whole being. That’s why every one of us has ingrained habits, and that habits are not that easy to remove. Also it’s the sting that makes us to have a sinful nature. We must completely remove the sting and be save from its power.
We should be saved from the “Sting”
In the book of Numbers 21:4-9, God commanded Moses to create a “Bronze
Serpent” and raise it up so that anyone bitten by a snake who look at it will be saved from the fierce sting of the snake at death. Just like the Israelites, we must be saved from the sting of death. Each one of us had been bitten by the serpent (satan) and the sting (the sin) had brought in us evil effect throughout in our whole being. We became slave to sin and we always follow whatever desires of the flesh. It is undeniable, we craves for the things desires by the flesh (Gal.5:19-21). This are the real concerned of the Apostle Paul to the Philippians believers when he said that they must continue to work in order to completely take away the sting and at the same time for complete deliverance against its ill effects.
There is a truth that we need to see and understand as true believers of Jesus as our Lord and Savior. In the spiritual realm, we are saved from the judgment of fire in hell, our sins forgiven, we become holy and we become a new person. These we freely received in exchange for the sacrificial works of Christ. However, in natural realm or in reality, all of us have sinned, keep sinning and getting enslave by sin. This is the truth that even we, as a believer, still commit sin. Is there among us who never commit sin? There is none! It is so sad to think that many Christians continued to commit sin and enslaved by the sin they knew is sinful and evil. If not, however, they ceased to grow and always return to committing sin again and again. It is also sad that for many, serving and worshipping the Lord has been only a ritual. This is because of the Sting of Death, which had clung and deeply ingrained in to one person, has never been completely removed. This disease or this “cancer of the soul” is very dangerous and contagious that if not completely treated with a right and perfect cure death and the fire of hell might awaits.
Another important thing that we need to understand is that the Sting of Death is the reason why we become slaves of sin. Our sinful nature have been there of long ago even when we were still in our mother’s womb. This is the main reason why man continued to commit sin ever since childhood. Even becoming a Christian, we continued to commit sin. When we became children of God, we did not immediately change in an instant. In fact, when we became born-again, we start as a “spiritual babies” born in the family of God. Just like a baby it needs to feed and grow and become a mature man. As a born-again Christian, we also need to grow and mature on the things of God. Thus, a Christian needs to continue to work in order to progressively free himself from the slavery of sin until he is completely saved from the ‘’Sting of Death’’.
Working out your salvation is more appropriate to examine and focus the study on the Apostle Paul mentioning the law, the sin and his experience in struggling with sin. In the proceeding chapter we will look at the writings of the Apostle Paul to the Romans about those matters. We will analyze about what he found out about to himself during in his struggles with sin in which eventually he overcome. Likewise, we will fully understand that we need to work continually in order for us to be completely saved.
Continue reading...
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