At The Eternal Bar Of Justice

At The Eternal Bar Of Justice

 

 

 

    

   "8 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

² For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.
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:
⁴ That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
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.
⁶ For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.
⁷ Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.
⁸ So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.
⁹ But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.
¹⁰ And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness.
¹¹ But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.
¹² Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh.
¹³ For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.
¹⁴ For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.
¹⁵ For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father."

   Here at the Eternal Bar Of Justice, God's Judgment seat, Paul contrast the difference between eternal Adams.  The first Adam being fallen, opening the door to sin entering the family of humanity, and the second Adam [Jesus] Who would come to be the propitiation, the Redeemer, Savior of those who accept His gift of grace.  Paul contrast the two natures as Paul always does, as Jesus does in His teachings, they show "BOTH SIDES OF THE COIN" or teaching.  Let us look at some passages of Jesus and Paul on evidence of this rebirth of the Spirit, regeneration, or born again. 


Jesus first: 

   "3 There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews:

² The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him.
³ Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.
⁴ Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born?
⁵ Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.
⁶ That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.
⁷ Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.
⁸ The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.
⁹ Nicodemus answered and said unto him, How can these things be?
¹⁰ Jesus answered and said unto him, Art thou a master of Israel, and knowest not these things?
¹¹ Verily, verily, I say unto thee, We speak that we do know, and testify that we have seen; and ye receive not our witness.
¹² If I have told you earthly things, and ye believe not, how shall ye believe, if I tell you of heavenly things?
¹³ And no man hath ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, even the Son of man which is in heaven.
¹⁴ And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up:
¹⁵ That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.
¹⁶ For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
¹⁷ For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.
¹⁸ He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.
¹⁹ And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.
²⁰ For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved.
²¹ But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God."  John 31-21 KJV
     Jesus shows the "how" and "why" as He explains to an unsaved man, a priest of Hebrew, an educated man of the Word of God, yet Jesus had to explain it to Him.  It comes with rebirth, a regenerated Heart,  and the difference between Spirit [Jesus' Spirit] and flesh [first Adam's spirit] and the mention of the difference of the deeds of the two.


     Now Paul:  
   ^"13 For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another.
¹⁴ For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
¹⁵ But if ye bite and devour one another, take heed that ye be not consumed one of another.
¹⁶ This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.
¹⁷ For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.
¹⁸ But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law.
¹⁹ Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,
²⁰ Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,
²¹ Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.
²² But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
²³ Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
²⁴ And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.
²⁵ If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.
²⁶ Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another."  Galatians 5:13-26  KJV


     Paul contrasts the different character, behavior, attitudes and actions of the flesh [first Adam] and Spirit [second Adam aka Jesus.]  Paul elsewhere by the Spirit in his own hand in other Pauline epistles shows us the "proof in the pudding" of the two natures.  "

5 Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children;

² And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour.
³ But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints;
⁴ Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks.
⁵ For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.
⁶ Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience.
⁷ Be not ye therefore partakers with them.
⁸ For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light:
⁹ (For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;)
¹⁰ Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord.
¹¹ And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.
¹² For it is a shame even to speak of those things which are done of them in secret.
¹³ But all things that are reproved are made manifest by the light: for whatsoever doth make manifest is light.
¹⁴ Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light.
¹⁵ See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise,
¹⁶ Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.
¹⁷ Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is.
¹⁸ And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;
¹⁹ Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;"  Ephesians 5:1-19  KJV 
  Here Paul by the Spirit, is showing the CONDUCT of the two natures.  So it matters... my conduct, attitudes, choices, behavior?  Yes friend it does.  Because grace has and is happening, the old nature is being changed.  So Beloved, the fruit will change.  Where is he getting this from?  Well... let us go back to Jesus: 

  
   ^"12 Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets.
¹³ Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:
¹⁴ Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.
¹⁵ Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.
¹⁶ Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?
¹⁷ Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit.
¹⁸ A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.
¹⁹ Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.
²⁰ Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.
²¹ Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.
²² Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?
²³ And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
²⁴ Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock:
²⁵ And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock.
²⁶ And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand:
²⁷ And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it.
²⁸ And it came to pass, when Jesus had ended these sayings, the people were astonished at his doctrine:

²⁹ For he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes."  Matthew 7:12-29 KJV  Okay, so there is a fallacy that is creeping in that Jesus is speaking ONLY to the Hebrew people here.  It is true that God purposefully wrote Matthew to the Hebrew mindset (Matthew is written in the style of the first five books of the Bible) BUT, it is still the Word of God.  Parts of the prophecies speak ONLY to Israel in Matthew 24, parts that were fulfilled in Tiberius' destruction of Judah in 74 A.D. and other parts of the same passage yet to be fulfilled.  The book is still a book of the synoptic Gospels, Jesus still saves, and the other synoptic Gospels are purposefully written in the Greek mindset, like Luke's account and John's account.  They are the Gospel that Jesus saves as well.  Just like Matthew.  The writer of Hebrews shows another account of a regenerated heart's change. 

   "12 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,

² Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
³ For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.
⁴ Ye have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin.
⁵ And ye have forgotten the exhortation which speaketh unto you as unto children, My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him:
⁶ For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.
⁷ If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not?
⁸ But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons.
⁹ Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, and we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live?
¹⁰ For they verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure; but he for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness.
¹¹ Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby.
¹² Wherefore lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees;
¹³ And make straight paths for your feet, lest that which is lame be turned out of the way; but let it rather be healed.
¹⁴ Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:
¹⁵ Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled;
¹⁶ Lest there be any fornicator, or profane person, as Esau, who for one morsel of meat sold his birthright."  Hebrews 12:1-16 KJV  This passage is pretty self explanatory, the Holy Spirit empowers us to lay down the choices of the flesh, for a purpose, and the consequences of what happens when a regenerated heart doesn't.  If you have been regenerated, you are NOT CONDEMNED before God in heaven, Jesus carried that chastisement for you.  If He has, then your behavior will reflect it.  We still adhere to the moral laws for conduct.  Not for salvation, but because a grace covered heart will not hate which is the same as murder, a grace changed heart will not live to covet and steal.  A grace changed heart will not live to bear false witness, or commit adultery, or rape, or worship false idols.  Jesus did fulfill the law, the ceremonial and sacrificial law are GONE!  He kept the moral law because we can NOT.  He expects us to be imitators of Himself, obey the two laws that ALL OF THE LAW HANGS ON, Love the Lord your God with ALL your heart, mind, soul, body, and strength.  And your neighbor as yourself.  Grace only empowers this ability, and though we may fall, He lifts us up to walk again, none the less, adhering to this precept, the moral law is kept by default.  No Christian has a license to sin, liberty to disobey God's will.  No, BUT  when you do sin have a Mediator when you do, and your are not condemned before the bar of eternal justice.  Love in Christ, Jason.