Man struggled to keep the Law of Moses. Calvary took away that struggle.

In order to see human struggle more clearly let's go back before Christ died at Calvary. To a time of the dispensation of the Law of Moses before Grace came, before the Spirit of God flowed from the cross at Calvary, and before the Church the body of Christ came into play as we know it today.

A Jewish man grew up in a religious culture to do religious works in the domestic life, in the social life, and in his personal life before God. From his youth he worked to learn and to keep the Law of Moses or he was a violator to the commandments of God, which were 613. The first five books of the Old Testament contain these 613 commands given by God, not just the 10 commandments written in the tables of stone. Jewish religious works were difficult and daunting to keep and practice. Man struggled daily to learn and practice the many ordinances and statutes that the Law of Moses required him to keep in order to be holy before God. The Law of Moses required the righteous works of man which every Jewish man struggled to do. The reason it was a struggle for man to keep the Law of Moses is because of the rebellious will of man, the Adamic nature.

The Adamic nature was in total opposition to the Law of Moses. God said to do... the human nature says don't do it. The inner struggle of a Jewish man to obey God was almost endless because his natural will was forever inclined to disobey the Law of God. There was no full time operation of the Holy Spirit (as we know the Spirit in the Church today) to lead, to guide, and to direct the practitioner of the Law of Moses. Under Law righteousness was not a gift from Heaven as we know it through Christ our Saviour and Redeemer. The righteousness of the Law was achieved and advanced toward by the religious works of a Jewish man. Only self, human will, and man's natural inclinations and tendencies were able to govern man's choices and decisions to do right. This was a problem for man under the Law of Moses because of inherited unrighteousness that man was born with. Man had to struggle with all he had to live up to God's standard of righteousness. That's why men under the Law of Moses failed over and over again without victory. There was no victory for man over the inner struggle before Christ went to Calvary and birthed the Church, the body of Christ.

During the period of the Law of Moses men had no power from God's Grace like we have it today in the Church, the body of Christ. Men of old had only future hope in prophecy of a Messiah who would be despised and rejected of men. They had no actual crucifixion of a Saviour to die once at Calvary which in turn offered a blessed and eternal forgiveness for their personal sins. Under the Law of Moses men only had a Levitical Priesthood, a particular priest, and a Temple that offered only a place for men in Israel once a year to take our lambs, goats, and bullocks as a sin offering for their yearly atonement. The Law of Moses offered man no redemptive work of Salvation within the heart and being like Salvation today. The Law of Moses gave no freedom from the guilt of sin that men bear in their hearts and conscience. Under the Law of Moses men carried the whole load of guilt in the conscience. Under the Law men struggled to do as God said because the inclination of man wanted to do differently. Men wanted to go their own way and not the way of God. Men struggled daily to learn and obey the 613 commandments of which if they broke one Law they were guilty of them all.

James 2:10...For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.

How blessed we are today in the Church to have a Saviour who said, "It is finished"! What Jesus meant by that statement is man no longer had to struggle to be right with God. Righteousness would now come into the human soul as a gift from God through man's belief and trust in what Christ did for each and every believer personally, on Calvary's Cross. The Law was abolished and Grace came into play! Man would no longer have to bear the burden of guilt for all past sins because Christ was the chastisement of our peace. Jesus said after His death, "It is finished". The conscience of a believer in Christ is freed from guilt by the Grace of God. Christ suffered and died on the cross at Calvary so man wouldn't have to struggle to do right. Human works of the Law of Moses were taken out of the picture and the finished work of Christ at Calvary became the center stage for all humanity. This Divine Revelation comes through the preaching of the Gospel. In the Church age now... man could be made right by the Grace of God because Christ said it is finished! Christ suffered and died so we wouldn't have to struggle anymore like men of Israel struggled to keep the Law of Moses. Even holiness today is not achieved by man's obedience to keep the Law of Moses. Holiness is enacted by the Grace of God that flows from the effects of a Saviour on the cross which in turn reflects upon the human soul of a believer in Christ.

There is no struggle under Grace to do right in the eyes of God, but under the Law of Moses it was a constant struggle to keep the Law of Moses. In Christianity there is no bondage from religious works, its simply liberty and peace found when the person of Christ takes over your heart and life. The blessing of the Holy Spirit comes in and makes the unsaved man a child of God. Under Grace man can have power from above to govern his actions and conduct! Glory! A man under Grace doesn't have to follow rules, statutes, laws, and commands. Under Grace the heart is cleansed by the blood of Christ and the Holy Spirit becomes the law of God in the heart of a believer. No more need to offer animal sacrifice once a year. Christ was made sin for us so that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him! Under Grace it is not a struggle to be holy in the eyes of God because holiness is found through personal enlightenment to the Christ of Salvation. Holiness of heart is found when personal forgiveness is found in the new birth. Christ meant what He said, "It is finished". Not more struggle for man to do! It's about what Christ did! It's about what Christ is doing now from the Throneroom! Human works to achieve God were finished at Calvary! Now, God comes into the heart and character of man as a result of belief and trust in Christ and His finished work on the cross at Calvary. Men under the Law of Moses could not experience this great treasure and blessing. Glory, we can today in the Church under Grace.

Christ took away our struggles at the cross at Calvary. Hallelujah! Christ gave us a better life today in Christianity than any man could ever work for under the Law of Moses. Hallelujah! We walk in the God-given Spirit not in the flesh. Under the Law the flesh directed mans footsteps. Under Grace the Spirit of God directs our footsteps.

Rom 8:3-4...For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us,

Aren't you glad we're under the blessing of Divine Grace today in the Church, instead of the Law given on Mt. Sinai?

Rom 6:14-15...for ye are not under the law, but under grace. What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid.

Man doesn't struggle to have the Grace of God. Grace doesn't come by human works. Grace is the operation of the power of God's Salvation in the human soul. Grace makes men the workmanship of God not by human works but by the finished work of Christ that flows from Calvary. Men do not struggle to obtain Grace. Grace is freely given because of your personal belief and acceptance of Christ as Lord and Saviour. Under law men struggled! Under Grace men receive the blessing of Christianity..."freely".

Rom 8:32...He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?

1 Cor 2:12...Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.

Dead works are man's own efforts to obtain a God-given righteousness that only comes through faith in Christ

Two of the greatest problems known in the religious world today are the (unsaved) man's struggles to try to obtain the saving Grace of God and; the believer's (the saved man's) struggles to keep the saving Grace of God at work throughout his entire Christian walk. Both of these struggles ring to the tune of the works of man rather than the works of God's Divine Grace in the heart of a believer! The Bible calls these human works, dead works. Human works take away from the work of God's Divine Grace! Human works "add too" the work of God's of Divine Grace! God doesn't need your works! That's why Christ suffered and died for you and I personally!

The Bible doesn't teach that man works to obtain anything from God for salvation or holiness! As a matter of fact, human works used to obtain Salvation or some other blessing from God are stench to the nostrils of God! Human works in relation to Salvation, holiness, and righteousness...are dead works! The Bible says so! All of man's "works" (human effort, human achievements, and human advancements toward a closer walk with God) cause men to look to themselves or to look to their own abilities or talents. This causes men to miss or overlook, God's Divine Grace that instantaneously changes the human being! This type of living in the name of Christ is contrary to what's taught in the Bible. You may ask, "Can you clarify that?" Yes I can. Here's how.

When man "tries" to work his way into Salvation or righteousness gradually, he trusts in his own ability rather than the ability of God's Grace which is a free gift that effectively flows from Calvary. This free gift of righteousness by Grace changes the believer in Christ, morally (in the present tense). If man tries to gradually "quit" sinful conduct, or to gradually "steer away" from the use of alcohol, sensuality, or dirty living... man hinders his faith and trust in the redemptive work of Christ at Calvary from having effective changes upon the moral character and being.

Doctrines that lean to the humanistic approach (rather than the Divine Grace approach) causes man to look to himself or to his own will power to overcome sinful conduct, addictions, and disobedience to God. This kind of mindset by passes the God-given righteousness that comes from Christ in this present Grace Age! This kind of mindset indicates the human will is not broken by the Spirit of God that flows from Calvary! The will of man is controlled by man himself and doesn't depend on God's Grace completely! Human ability sometimes causes man to "fall short of the glory of God's Saving Grace".

When the will of man is broken by a living Christ, the will of God can take over and govern the believer's actions and being through every condition in life. This believer will not come short of the glory of God anymore... because this believer has the power and effectiveness of Christ... that flows from Calvary! Now! Today! He's alive! That effectiveness is not personal forgiveness only. That effectiveness is also a God-given righteousness that morally changes man's character and being. God-given righteousness is the believers power to do right because man is unable to do right without power from above! It's the Christ given power of God's Grace "imputed" to a believer in Christ that provides a means for the believer to overcome "wrong-doing".

Rom 3:23-26...For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; 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; To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believer in Jesus

Notice Paul says, "All men have sinned". "Have sinned" is a past tense statement about men before they find Christ. All men "were sinners" and "all men have sinned" but Paul is looking back to a man before he finds the power and effectiveness of Christ (in the present tense of a believer). Before the believer touches or experience's the "gift of God's Grace", he is a sinful man! After the believer trusts in Christ's suffering and death for personal remission of sins God does something to this man's character and being. God not only " pardons and forgives this man" but He also declares this man righteous. How? He frees the conscience of a sinful man from the guilt of sin. Because of man's faith and trust in Christ at Calvary the cleansing power of God's Grace effectually does something in that man's heart and life. That beleiver becomes a new creation or conversion made by Christ.

Yes, my brother, God not only forgives you when you believe... He also "imputes" righteousness into that believing heart and soul to be the man or woman you should be in Christ! Imputed righteousness is a gift given to the heart of a believer from God!

Rom 4:22-24...therefore it was imputed to him for righteousness. Now it was not written for his sake alone, that it was imputed to him; But for us also, to whom it shall be imputed, if we believe on him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead;

Get this clear into your thinking...the gift of righteousness that's given to the child of God should not "come and go at will!" When you're awakened to righteousness that is given to your heart by Christ.. you don't desire to sin! The Bible says so! This righteousness I speak of is given from above...you the Christian are to live it out! God's Righteousness permits God's peace to comfort your conscience. God's Righteousness is the power to do right and to live right in the eyes of God every day of your existence. The Bible teaches that this gift of righteousness "reigns" in the life of the believer. This means righteousness "rules" the life of a believer in Christ, "Not wrong doing, not disobedience, and not sinful conduct!"

Rom 5:17...For if by one man's offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.

The human intellect, the human inclination, and human reasoning may indicate something different than God's Word or God's Spirit! These human characteristics are not the truth of God's Word! God's Word is the basis of Christian faith...not man's human inclinations! The Word of God is the only true basis for light we have today. Christ makes us holy and right and keeps us that way if our faithfulness lies in Him! If you don't trust the holiness and purity of God's Word, and God's Spirit, "What are you trusting?' The human inclination to do wrong does not come from God! Man's ways are not God's ways. Don't let the human intellect have its way in your life if you're a child of God! God's righteousness will never allow you to "justify or excuse sin!" Human intellect will!

Remember Christ was "made" sin for us...so you and I could become the righteousness of God... because of what he did for us personally! God-given righteousness has nothing to do with what you do meaning your works! Christ suffered and died for you and I personally...so we could could be made the righteousness of God. Glory!

2 Cor 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.

Should we live a righteous life everyday between now and eternity? The answer is yes...by the Grace of God! Glory! How?

Rom 5:20-21...But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound:That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord.

Notice how "Grace abounds through our righteousness" in the New Testament after Calvary...Glory!

The purpose of the Baptism with the Holy Ghost and fire (pt.3)...by Rick Roehm

7. The Baptism with the Holy Ghost and fire is a renewal; not a progressive work

            In every instance and every record of the Bible the Baptism with the Holy Ghost and fire came upon the believer…instantaneously. Just like the new birth! The Greek text teaches the Baptism with Holy Ghost and fire comes upon the believer instantaneously …at one stroke from the hand of God. Renewal from the Holy Ghost is not to be taken as a progressive work of sanctification. Renewing from the Holy Ghost takes place when the believer “puts off” the Old Man. This renewal from God “destroys” the body of sin. Renewal from the Holy Ghost allows the believer to “put on” the new man created in true righteousness and holiness. Renewal is the Baptism with the Holy Ghost and fire that purges man from all the dross of the old man. Note! The Apostle Paul in his letter to the Ephesians is addressing, “the saints and those faithful in Christ”. (Ephesians 1:1) As taught by the Apostle, the putting off of the Old Man and putting on of the new man deals specifically with the saint! Not the sinner!

·          Eph 4:22-24…That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; And be renewed in the spirit of your mind;  And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.

            There is no set time frame between the actual new birth experience and the actual Baptism with the Holy Ghost and fire. Between both actual experiences a believer must “put off” the Old Man which simply means “die to the flesh”. Death to the Old Man opens the door for the New Man to come in. Then renewal through the Baptism with the Holy Ghost can take place at one stroke. Renewal is the final work of the Holy Ghost in this life. Renewal takes place after the Baptism with the Holy Ghost and fire rids the believer from the Adamic nature.

            Renewal through the Baptism with the Holy Ghost and fire is when the believer “puts on” the new man. This new man is dead to self and; the Adamic nature has been destroyed. The new man in total subjection to Christ is created through the work of the Holy Ghost in true righteousness and holiness. The new man is delivered completely from the Adamic life and nature. There is no war within his members. There is no conflict or inner struggle from the Adamic. A renewed man trusts in Christ for every situation and circumstance in life. A renewed man is a witness for the Lord as the Spirits witness takes full possession that heart and life. 

·          Rom 8:15-16…but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:

            Renewal is not a progressive work of the Holy Ghost; it comes instantaneously. Renewal takes place after sanctifying work of the Holy Ghost is completely received into the body, soul, and spirit.

·          1 Thess 5:23…And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

A believer is renewed after he dies to self and receives the Baptism with the Holy Ghost and fire. Two Divine acts pertaining to full Salvation are taught in the Bible:

      First is God’s Justification, which permits the Spirits regeneration in the new birth.  Justification is a pardon from God that frees man from all past sinful acts committed. Justification provides the penitent with a freedom from guilt and the forgiveness of sins. Justification by Grace allows the instantaneous work of the Holy Ghost to regenerate the human soul. Justification gives any believer the eligibility to be entirely sanctified.

      Second is Sanctification, where the Baptism with the Holy Ghost and fire cleanses a justified man from the Adamic nature. Justification is only the believer’s path to Entire Sanctification. After the believer has experienced both Justification and Entire Sanctification, he is renewed by the Holy Ghost. Renewal takes place after a believer experiences the sanctifying power of the Baptism with the Holy Ghost.

·          Titus 3:5…Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;

 

8. The Baptism with the Holy Ghost and Fire: The final work of the Spirit of God in the life of a believer

 

            The Baptism with the Holy Ghost and fire is the final and completed work of the Spirit of God in the heart of a believer. Contrary to certain doctrines that teach progressive sanctification, this final work of the Baptism with the Holy Ghost and fire is received in this present life.  A recipient of this blessing will no longer be conformed to the world.  A recipient will prove this experience is good, acceptable, and the perfect will of God… in word, lifestyle, and action. Like this writer’s testimony for Christ, the recipient of the Baptism with the Holy Ghost and fire will also testify this experience is the same today as it was on the day of Pentecost.

·          Rom 12:2…And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

            The work of the Holy Ghost should never be limited in our minds. The work of the Holy Ghost begins in the heart of a sinner at conviction. The work of the Holy Ghost seals the believer into the Body of Christ “when” he first believes. These various works of the Holy Ghost are initial yet complete works that include Sanctification in the heart and life of man.  However; Sanctification from the Adamic life which comes upon the believer is the final work of the Holy Ghost and fire. The Baptism with the Holy Ghost and fire which is the completed work of Sanctification was purposed by God so that believers could experience the fullness of Salvation. Granted, the new birth is the sinner’s initiation into the Body of Christ but we must never fail to remember the inner struggle that exists. The Baptism with the Holy Ghost and fire gives that believer assurance that keeps him from falling prey to that very inner struggle of the flesh. The final work of the Sanctifying power of the Holy Ghost delivers a believer from the very source of that struggle which is the old Adam. The Baptism with the Holy Ghost and fire provides the believer with everything needed to be an over comer to the old nature of the flesh. Spirit filled men are over comers. Over comers make excellent witnesses for the Lord! The Baptism with the Holy Ghost and Fire; the final work of the Holy Ghost, is the entire sanctifying work of Salvation that all believers can experience after they are born from above.

9. Manner in which the baptism with the Holy Ghost and fire was experienced by this writer

            Since the beginning of this writer’s salvation my understanding has been enlarged concerning the sanctifying work of the Holy Ghost. I remember vividly how this heart cried out to God for years asking, “Why… why do I need the Baptism with the Holy Ghost and fire?” There were so many persuasions I was confused. Certain crowds tried to sway my stance in one direction and other crowds tried to sway my stance in another direction. Confirmation came…straight from God and the Holy Scriptures. Enlightenment came… through study and right division of Gods Word. Truth came to my heart… through subjection to an Enthroned Christ who Baptizes with the Holy Ghost and fire (like on the day of Pentecost). God allowed this writer to understand “the purpose” of the baptism with the Holy Ghost and fire which is simply sanctification from the negative side of life. God answered questions concerning “How”, “When”, and “Why” the Baptism with the Holy Ghost and fire. The opinions of men no longer confused my relationship with the living Christ.

 

10. Contentment in Christ: The fruit of the Baptism with the Holy Ghost and fire

            The intent of this discourse is to enlighten the reader to the purpose of the Baptism with the Holy Ghost and fire and; the fruit it produces in the life of the believer. The theme of this discourse is focused on the victorious heart and life of a believer in Christ… not the sinner. The blessing of the Baptism with the Holy Ghost and fire is the believer’s complete deliverance from the Adamic nature. The fruit of that entirely sanctified heart and life is contentment in Christ that can be found nowhere else in life. Contentment in Christ confirms the truth of New Testament records concerning the Baptism with the Holy Ghost and fire. As any believer will learn through diligent study the Baptism with the Holy Ghost and fire cannot be found through erroneous doctrines. Why? Contentment cannot be found when there’s an inner struggle with the Holy Spirits presence, or an outer conflict with the problems of life. When the struggles of life and conflicts from man are taken away by a living Christ, the contentment of a Christian becomes the fruit of the Baptism with the Holy Ghost and fire. That’s why Paul told Timothy, Godliness mixed with contentment offers great gain.

·          1 Tim 6:5…But godliness with contentment is great gain 

Conclusion 

                Having a true heart to both man and God is the final result of the Baptism with the Holy Ghost and fire. As Hubert Lindsey (a recipient and teacher of the Baptism with the Holy Ghost and fire after being a Baptist for 35 years) once told me, “A true heart is never troubled”. With all respect to Hubert as a minister of God’s Word I pondered that statement for years and concluded…that both the true heart and the ability to never be troubled in any situation or circumstance was a gift from God that only comes through the Baptism with the Holy Ghost and fire. Why?  A true heart that’s never troubled proves a man trusts in Christ for everything.  A true heart is the product of a sanctified man who lives in holiness and right standing with God.  A sanctified man has no conflict within himself. A sanctified man has full acknowledgement of power of the Indwelling Spirit in his heart and life. Any believer who experiences a true heart that’s never troubled is an actual product of the sanctifying power of the Baptism with the Holy Ghost and fire.  By the Grace of God that keeps the Holy Spirit present in our lives…this writer can testify to the blessing of such experience.

 

Rick Roehm

August 8, 2007

r.roehm@fuse.net

Body of Death (audio)... Romans Chapter 7... Brother Hubert Lindsey

This video/audio was made to show the victorious side of Christianity by the power of a living Christ who "delivers" man from the Adamic life. The struggle that some many teach from Romans 7 does not deal with the life of a believer in Christ...it deals with a man under Law. By the power of a living Christ...Christians today can be delivered from the Old Adam.

The following 14 minute video/audio describes a cruel Roman punishment in the days of the Apostle Paul. You will learn about what the body of death was in light of Christ the deliverer. Light is placed on the controversial Romans 7 with a slant of power and victory rather than weakness and defeat.

As you review the Gospel sermons that Brother Lindsey made, accumulated, and left behind for us to study... you will find holiness and victorious Christian living through Christ that lives NOW PRESENT TENSE. You will find Sanctification from the Adamic life...not the process of maturity. You will find "death to the Old man" and not the process of dying. You will find clarification and right division of the Holy Scriptures.

God Bless you all! God bless Brother Lindsey! God bless the truth of the Holy Scriptures...in Jesus' name. God Bless Google for allowing us to publish these great Bible truths.

Three types of struggle that men contend with...

1. What man can do to obtain salvation, works, human effort, not trusting God's Divine Grace alone. Man's natural inclination is to do. Man can do nothing to obtain moral holiness or Eternal Salvation of the human soul. Many men struggle to achieve salvation which can never be done. No matter how hard man "tries" he still misses the Grace of God. Grace is what God does. Man is "only" saved by Grace.
2. The "Inner conflict" or "war within man's members" is a struggle that comes to a believer in Christ after the new birth. It's a conflict between the flesh and the work of the Holy Spirit in the life of a believer. This conflict creates a struggle that some may never overcome until they meet with Christ. Other believers "crucify the flesh" or "die to the Old man" and get filled with a Full work of the Holy Spirit that "destroys" the Inner Struggle that so many contend with.
3. The "Outer Conflict" or the outer struggle consists of world pressures, weights, problems of life or other circumstances that hinder the child of God. God doesn't want His children to be burdened with this outer struggle. Christ can deliver man from the pressures of life. How? By simply trusting in Him to meet every need of your life. After all He has power over every condition of life.

Rom 8:32...He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?