THE FLESH CANNOT PLEASE GOD

Newsletter 150 July 26, 2009



Romans 8:1-8 (King James Version)



How would you answer the question? If you died today, would you go to heaven? The answers that you would get back, are an indication that many Christians either do not believe the Bible or they are doubting their Christianity in the first place. The answer is, “Yes, if you are a believer in Jesus Christ, that he is the Son of God, and you have been obedient to his instructions so clearly stated by Peter, “Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.” Acts 2:38. That single verse is based on one assumption, that you believe what you have been taught; two commands, repent, and be baptized, and two promises; your sins will be taken away, and you will be given the gift of the Holy Ghost. A few verses further along, another promise is indicated, “And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved;” (Acts 2:47) more clearly, ”were being” than “should be” saved.



1 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. (Romans 5:16, Romans 8:34, Romans 8:9, Romans 8:2, Romans 8:11, Romans 8:39, Romans 16:3)

2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death. (1 Corinthians 15:45, Romans 8:1, John 8:32, John 8:36, Romans 6:14, Romans 6:18, Romans 7:4)

3 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: (Acts 13:39, Hebrews 10:1, Romans 7:18, Hebrews 7:18, Philippians 2:7, Hebrews 2:14, Hebrews 2:17, Hebrews 4:15)

4 That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. (Luke 1:6, Romans 2:26, Galatians 5:16, Galatians 5:25)

5 For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. (Galatians 5:19-21, Galatians 5:22-25)

6 For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. (Galatians 6:8, Romans 6:21, Romans 8:13)

7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. (James 4:4)

8 So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.



In the entire first seven chapters of the book Paul has been laying down the facts, therefore this chapter begins with the word “therefore.” This is the result of those facts.



Christianity is positive, not negative. We can know that we are saved. The passage presents the fact that there are only two categories, those who walk the way of the world, and those who walk the way of the Spirit. Just as we know the difference between and apple tree and a lemon tree by the fruit that each bears, the proof of the Christian is in the fruit that he bears. It is a fruit that is sweetened by the presence of the Spirit within him. (Matthew 7:16-17, Matthew 7:20) Specifically the fruit of the Spirit is itemized in Galatians 5:22-23. Love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance, these are the type of fruit that the presence of the Spirit will assure.



The death of a Christian marks the transition from this world and all that is evil to the reward of a place of perfection ahead.. No wonder Paul expressed his desire to be absent here and present with the Lord! He actually longed to be with God. Nothing negative there.



Christianity is positive. We know our goal and long to reach it.


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READ THE BIBLE THROUGH AGAIN IN 2009



JULY



26th. Sunday – Hosea 7,8, Romans 12, Psalm 89:14-18

27th. Monday – Hosea 9,10, Romans 23, Proverbs 18:1-10

28th. Tuesday – Hosea 11,12, Romans 14, Psalm 89:19-29

29th. Wednesday – Hosea 13,14, Romans 15:1-18, Psalm 69:30-37

30th. Thursday – Jonah 1,2, Romans 15:17-33, Psalm 89:38-45
31st. Friday – Jonah 3,4, Romans 16, Proverbs 18:11-24

AUGUST



1st. Saturday – 1 Chronicles 1, 1Corinthians 1:1-17, Psalm 89:46-52



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THIS WEEK'S SCRIPTURE



"For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things resent, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.“



Romans 8:38-39

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WHICH WAY IS THE RESTROOM?



A rather old fashioned lady, always quite delicate and elegant, especially in her language, was planning a weeks holiday in Sydney with her husband, so she wrote to a particular camping ground and asked for a reservation.

She wanted to make sure that the camping ground was fully equipped, but didn't know quite how to ask about the toilet facilities. She just couldn't bring herself to write the word "toilet" in her letter.

After much thought, she finally came up with the old fashioned term "Bathroom closet" but when she wrote it down, she still thought she was being too forward, so she started all over again, rewrote the letter, and referred to the bathroom closet as the B.C.

"Does the camping ground have it's own B.C." is what she wrote.

Well, the camping ground owner wasn't a bit old fashioned, and he just couldn't figure out what the old lady was talking about, so he showed the letter around a few of the campers and the only thing they could come up with was that B.C. stood for Baptist Church, so he wrote the following reply.

Dear Madam,

I regret very much the delay in answering your letter, but I now take the pleasure of informing you that a B.C. is located nine miles north of our camping ground, and is capable of seating 250 people at one time.

I admit that it is quite a distance away if you are in the habit of going regularly but no doubt you will be pleased to know that a great number of campers go there and many take their lunches along and make a day of it. They usually arrive nice and early and stay quite late.

The last time my wife and I went was six years ago, and it was so crowded we had to stand up the whole time we were there. It may interest you to know that there is a special supper planned there to raise money to buy more seats so that everyone will be able to sit in comfort.

I would like to say that it pains me very much not to be able to go more regularly, but it is surely no lack of desire on my part, just that I am so busy most of the time.

As we grow older, it seems to be more of an effort to go, especially in the cold weather. If you decide to come down to our camping ground perhaps I could go with you the first time you go, sit with you and introduce you to all the other folks.

Remember, this is a very friendly community.





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