Another Classic concerning life questions - Bible answers

 

The Justified man

After fallen man receives Christ for personal forgiveness of sins such belief in the Savior merits pardon from God. Pardon includes this penitent believer's sinful slate wiped clean from all sins of the past with a directive from the Holy Spirit to live right. God declares this man not guilty with the blessing of a new moral life changed and given by the Grace of God that brings Salvation. A justified man knows he's justified through faithful consciousness to the presence of the Holy Spirit. He drops sin and unrighteousness out of desire to be a man of God giving Christ as Savior and Redeemer all credit.

Romans 3:24, 25...Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God.

Titus 2:11-12...For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;

Carnal sold under sin

Romans 7:14...For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin.

Paul speaking of his past life as teacher of Mosaic Law before Christ. Being "sold" made reference to Adam's sin in the Garden that has since plagued humanity with the inherited propensity of sin. The carnal nature nature is sin's dominion over man.

The bible goes on to teach that Christ not only delivers man from the acts of sin, but also the nature of sin that man inherited from the sin of Adam.

Romans 8:1-2...There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.

Anointing of Christ

According to Mosaic Law Jesus could not minister, or preach until the age of 30. At that time John baptized Jesus to meet the requirements of Mosaic Law. Scriptures teach the Holy Spirit descended on Christ like a dove. This anointing by the Spirit of God is when God's ownership placed Christ in the ministry. Thus Christ preached the Kingdom on Earth was at hand, during His earthly priesthood similar to that of Melchizedek.

Luke 4:18-19...The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised,To preach the acceptable year of the Lord.

There are (2) Gospel messages in the (4) narratives of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. The first Gospel being the Gospel of the Kingdom on earth preached to the nation of Israel. The second Gospel being the Gospel of the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ according to the Prophets preached to both Jew and Gentile (in all the world).

After Christ was anointed by the Spirit to preach, unfortunately this first Gospel was not accepted by the nation of Israel as a whole. In the latter part of Christ's 3 1/2 year ministry after His death, burial and resurrection Jesus left His earthly priesthood and ascended to the right hand of father...only to maintain His heavenly priesthood in Heaven where He now resides.

The Apostle Peter preached these beautiful words concerning anointing from the second Gospel - after the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ.

Acts 10:37-40...That word, I say, ye know, which was published throughout all Judaea, and began from Galilee, after the baptism which John preached; How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him. And we are witnesses of all things which he did both in the land of the Jews, and in Jerusalem; whom they slew and hanged on a tree: Him God raised up the third day, and shewed him openly;

Paradise - the unseen world

 Jesus told the thief on the cross, "Today you shall be with me in Paradise"...Luke 23:43

This profound statement made by Christ indicated that Eternity begins at the point of death...whether it be eternal life or eternal death.

Paradise, the spiritual abode of the dead, is God's final determination made upon the spiritual make-up of all men. It is called man's long home in the book of Ecclesiastes 12:5.

The bible teaches that eternal life is Heaven. It is also taught within, that Hell is eternal damnation. Both Heaven and Hell are inside of this vast place of life beyond the grave...taught as Abraham's bosom in the Old Testament records. Paradise in Luke 16. All being within Eternal Judgment made by God.

Paradise is the unseen world that all humanity will face. It is the spiritual abode of the dead where distance between heaven and Hell is infinite without possible means of ever crossing over. Lazarus and the rich man Luke 16.

Paradise determines every man's final residence. This is why its so important to know Christ and that every sin is forgiven as you are ready for eternity at the blink of an eye.

They always obeyed...Paul commended

Philippians 2:12-13...Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure. 

Christians have the power to obey God. Not a struggle to obey God; its the blessing of the Christian life where the Holy Spirit governs your life. God does the work within as a result of your faith in Christ. Therefore this new creation is made right to do right in everyday life. Obeying God is the result of the Saving Grace of God in the heart of a believer in Christ...

2 Corinthians 5:21...For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.

Churches on Trial 12-4-88