Law or Grace

Law or Grace
Is this (a) the Law of Moses or (b) the Grace of Jesus Christ – Law or Grace?

Introduction
The majority of Christians do not even consider the question above when they are hearing or reading the Word of God. Instead they just read on merrily. Do they have the ability to rightly divide between law and grace? I’ll leave that question for you to answer. This writing however is to ensure that you the reader has that ability. So let’s see what the Word has to say about this topic.

Gentile Christians
In the book of Romans the Apostle Paul’s audience are all born-again Christians (note in Chapter 1 Paul addresses his audience as saints. Saints are not dead people. They are born-again Christians). These Christians are predominantly Gentiles. However, we soon read that his audience had unwittingly placed themselves under the Law of Moses being encouraged to do so by the Judaizers.

Acts 21:20 KJV
…Thou seest, brother, how many thousands of Jews there are which believe; and they are all zealous of the law:

Judaizers
These Judaizers are also Christians (mostly former Jews) who teach new converts to Christianity that they too must now keep the law. Back in the first century AD the Judaizers emphasis was on circumcision but today it’s far more subtle. Yes the Judaizers are alive and just as active today as they were back then. Their teachings today, in some (but not all) Churches, are deceptive. They stealthily imply that if you “do this or do that”, God is more likely to hear you and therefore more likely to answer your prayers which is wrong teaching. It’s not said directly but it’s implied in such a way that everyone gets their message. This deceptive teaching by implication is rife today! Teaching us today to “Do this or do that in order to receive from God” is the law (not grace).

Judgment
In Rom 2:3 the apostle Paul continues to hammer home, judgment under the law, to his audience, which, if you are not under the law does not apply to you. The Law of Moses was only ever given to the children of Israel. It was never ever given to gentiles! Yet, here we find gentiles immersed in the Law of Moses. Is this happening in the Church today? Yes it is but let me not get side tracked in this writing. If you’ve got questions then contact me or make comments below.

Romans 3:19-20 KJV
Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God. [20] Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.

Romans 7:1 KJV
Know ye not, brethren, (for I speak to them that know the law) how that the law hath dominion over a man as long as he liveth?

Rightly dividing the New Testament
Rightly dividing the New Testament (including the ministry of Jesus) means firstly asking the question: Is this (a) the Law of Moses or (b) the Grace of Jesus Christ — Law or Grace?

Q. Why so?
A. Because Jesus was fulfilling the law during His ministry while at the same time He was ushering in Grace. Many times He had to answer as One under the law. Therefore He could not deny the law. As he explained, “For assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle will by no means pass from the law till all is fulfilled” (Matt 5:18).

Using the law lawfully (1Tim 1:8)
Furthermore, in the first five chapters of Romans Paul uses the law lawfully (1Tim 1:8) on his self-righteous audience and that’s what we see here in Rom 2:3. Basically these early chapters of Romans contains the Law on steroids! You see these people (Paul’s audience in Romans) actually enjoy being under the law (Luke 5:39) so Paul gives them what they apparently like and want – you want the law then cop this – I’m using poetic license in this sentence as I read between the lines I can see Paul’s logic.

Condemnation of the law
We can hear preaching from the first five chapters of Romans and come under condemnation of the law unless we know that it doesn’t apply to us who are not under the law. The Christian who’s not aware of this will think to themselves, well this is Romans, it’s new testament, therefore it must apply to me and of course that’s wrong thinking and wrong logic because it’s based on wrong information which will result in them embracing that condemnation which is only the start of them plunging deeper into the law through ignorance. Well as Paul said many times, “I would not have you ignorant…”.

Look who Paul is talking to here in Romans – a specific group (Rom 7:1) – those who are under the law or any part of it.

Judgment: Source – Andrew Wommack
Sin will be judged and righteousness rewarded (Rom 2:5-10). What people have done with the Gospel is the focus of judgement (Andrew Wommack).

Remember, righteousness is a gift that we receive at the new birth. From the new birth forward we are the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus (2 Corinthians 5:21). Amen.

Set in Concrete
The Bible says that the strength of sin is the law (1 Cor 15:56). So everyone under the law (or any part of it) will be doing this. Doing what? – judging others while doing the very same thing themselves (Romans 2:1). You cannot be under the law and not do this. Why? Because the law is spiritual (Romans 7:14). The legal aspect of this (being under the hierarchy of Kingdom Law) is explained in the next paragraph of this writing but in a nutshell, what God placed in spiritual law is set in concrete. The Law of Moses has consequences that overwrite the good moral character of every person who places themselves under the law. The Word is telling us that this is regardless of how high that person’s moral character may be, it applies to e very single person who’s under the law. Once we get our head around this fact we need to read Romans Chapter 7 again (in full) and the lights will come on for us like never before!

The law is spiritual (Romans 7:14)
Q. So what does this mean … the law is spiritual (Romans 7:14)?
A. We know that the law (including the ten commandments) was a list of rules and regulations that were to be fulfilled in this earthly carnal realm (not in the spirit realm). However God placed the law of Moses in the spirit realm under the hierarchy of Kingdom law with consequences (both good and bad) that applied to those attempting to keep the law in proportion to how well or poorly they kept the law.

“The strength of sin is the law” (1 Cor 15:56). This is a legal statement (of the spirit realm) that applies to every person (both then and now) who put so much as their big toe under the law of Moses in the natural realm. There’s no escaping this for anyone who is under the law. The Bible declares it this way:

The offence [sin] might abound
Romans 5:20 KJV Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound…

Abound means to run rampant!
Merriam-Websters Dictionary “abound — to be present in large numbers or great quantity: to be prevalent”.

Romans 3:20 KJV
…for by the law is the knowledge of sin.

Does this apply to me?
Romans 2:1-3 KJV Therefore thou art inexcusable, O man, whosoever thou art that judgest: for wherein thou judgest another, thou condemnest thyself; for thou that judgest doest the same things. [2] But we are sure that the judgment of God is according to truth against them which commit such things. [3] And thinkest thou this, O man, that judgest them which do such things, and doest the same, that thou shalt escape the judgment of God?

Q. Does this (Romans 2:3) apply to me?
A. Are you under the Law or Grace — Yes it does apply to you if you’re under the Law but No it does not apply to you if you’re under Grace.

Paul’s methodology for ministry
Paul’s methodology for ministry (1 Cor 9:19-23) …in summary: “I have become all things to all men”. In Rom Ch7 (see the verses copied immediately below in this writing) while pointing the finger at himself, Paul explains what happens to every person who comes under the law. Paul was not lying when he said these things as at a time past he’d been where his audience were presently at.

Romans 7:12-13,15 KJVS
[12] Wherefore the law is holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good. [13] Was then that which is good made death unto me? God forbid. But sin, that it might appear sin, working death in me by that which is good; that sin by the commandment might become exceeding sinful. [15] For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I.

Q. And why do they do what they are preaching against?
A. …the strength of sin is the Law (1Cor 15:56).

Verse 13 (of Ch2) shows that Paul in Chapter 2 was reinforcing the teachings of the law. Yet Jesus was/is the end of the law unto righteousness (Rom 10:4).

Q. So why is Paul still preaching the Law?
A. Because he’s positioning himself to take his audience from where they are presently at (which is under the law of Moses) to the Grace of Jesus Christ.

Note Paul asks the question “thinkest though this? (Rom 2:3)”. Hearing this, these people would immediately come under the condemnation of the law (2Cor 3:9) as this (what he was about to state) was applicable under the law. This is what the Bible calls using the Law lawfully. Of course this does not apply to those Christians who are under grace and not under a blend of grace and law.

Paul’s preparing his audience for the preaching of ‘the Grace of God’ which is received through faith, in Rom Ch 10.

So did the Law just end?
Q. So did the Law just end?
A. It ended for those who believed. See and ponder the qualifications of Romans 10:4. The law had a use by date but people today are still feeding on the law well past it’s use by date. The Bible says: The law was until John (Luke 16:16) and the law was until the seed (Jesus) should come (Gal 3:19).

Romans 10:4 KJV
For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth.

Delivered from the Law
Paul goes on to teach in Rom Ch 7 that those who were (at a time past) under the law and have now believed on Jesus, they are now ‘in Christ’ having been delivered from the law (Rom 7:6 & Rom 7:24-25).

“In Christ” means born again Christians. Individuals who have met the criteria set out in Romans 10:9-10 and have been delivered from…

Has translated (delivered) us
If you are born-again then you have been delivered and this is the only deliverance you will ever need.

Colossians 1:12-14 KJV
Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: [13] Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: [14] In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:

Romans 7:4 KJV
Wherefore, my brethren, ye also are become dead to the law by the body of Christ; that ye should be married to another, even to him who is raised from the dead, that we should bring forth fruit unto God.

The New Covenant
Hebrews 8:6-10 KJV But now hath he obtained a more excellent ministry, by how much also he is the mediator of a better covenant, which was established upon better promises. [7] For if that first covenant had been faultless, then should no place have been sought for the second. [8] For finding fault with them, he saith, Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah: [9] Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day when I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt; because they continued not in my covenant, and I regarded them not, saith the Lord. [10] For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith the Lord; I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts: and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people:

Q. Who is He making a new covenant with?
A. I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah

There can only be a new covenant to those who have been under an old covenant.
Q. So what about us gentiles who have never been under the law of Moses?
A. We were grafted into the everlasting covenant of Grace which God made with Himself in the beginning (not the beginning of time, but in the beginning when God knew us before creation). God said continually My covenant I will establish with Abraham, Noah and many others. The covenant of Grace is a single everlasting covenant established with many men of old. It is the covenant that we born-again gentile Christians were grafted into by faith in Jesus. Though both covenants are blood covenants only the covenant of Grace is an everlasting covenant. So again Paul poses the question: Which covenant do you choose to live under?

Hebrews 8:13 KJV
In that he saith, A new covenant, he hath made the first old. Now that which decayeth and waxeth old is ready to vanish away.

Q. New to who?
A. …the house of Israel and with the house of Judah.

Which covenant do you choose to live under?
The New Testament is the fulfilment of the Abrahamic covenant or you could say, the fulfilment of the covenant of Grace. Those who were under the old covenant (the Mosaic law) were given a new covenant. However we gentile believers were grafted into the Abrahamic covenant …the everlasting covenant of grace.

Garry Preston

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To the Jews I became as a Jew

The Apostle Paul positioned his audience to receive.

Paul who wrote more than half the New Testament of the Bible had a very distinct teaching and writing style. Regardless of whether his audience were Jew or gentile, slave or free, his intent was the same, to position his audience so they would, not just hear, but receive the truth of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and the message of Grace which came through Jesus (John 1:17).

He wanted to win, not just the battle but the war itself. Therefore he couldn’t just dispute the law of Moses with them, he had to first develop their trust in him. In so doing hopefully they may receive the Word he shared and explained to them. Importantly he backed up all he taught showing his audience that all he said was according to the Old Testament law and the prophets (Acts 28:23).

Paul honed this skill of first winning the trust of his audience and as he did, he developed his methodology for Ministry that we find throughout Paul’s writings in the Bible. Of course Paul, being the detailed teacher that he is, recorded for us (in writing) his methodology for Ministry:

1 Corinthians 9:19-23 KJV
For though I be free from all men, yet have I made myself servant unto all, that I might gain the more. [20] And unto the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might gain the Jews; to them that are under the law, as under the law, that I might gain them that are under the law; [21] To them that are without law, as without law, (being not without law to God, but under the law to Christ,) that I might gain them that are without law. [22] To the weak became I as weak, that I might gain the weak: I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some. [23] And this I do for the gospel’s sake, that I might be partaker thereof with you.

In summary Paul says in verse 22 …I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some.

Now this method of being ‘all things to all men’ means Paul put himself in the shoes of his audience. This can be clearly seen in Chapter seven of the Book of Romans where Paul describes himself in a way that his audience can empathise with …why? Because he’s describing their current predicament (not his). Was he lying? No, because in the past he’d been where they were presently at. I pray you can get your head around this fact because once you do it will make rightly dividing all Paul’s writings so much easier for you.

I’m about to show you a couple of examples of Paul using his methodology for ministry that may shake you as they did me when I read them recently. However, as I pondered what I’d just read in Acts, the Holy Spirit showed me that Paul did what he did to win the people so that they may receive from him, which is in fact the method he used everywhere he went and taught.

Acts 16:1-5 KJV
Then came he to Derbe and Lystra: and, behold, a certain disciple was there, named Timotheus, the son of a certain woman, which was a Jewess, and believed; but his father was a Greek: [2] Which was well reported of by the brethren that were at Lystra and Iconium. [3] Him would Paul have to go forth with him; and took and circumcised him because of the Jews which were in those quarters: for they knew all that his father was a Greek. [4] And as they went through the cities, they delivered them the decrees for to keep, that were ordained of the apostles and elders which were at Jerusalem. [5] And so were the churches established in the faith, and increased in number daily.

Acts 21:17-26 KJV
And when we were come to Jerusalem, the brethren received us gladly. [18] And the day following Paul went in with us unto James; and all the elders were present. [19] And when he had saluted them, he declared particularly what things God had wrought among the Gentiles by his ministry. [20] And when they heard it, they glorified the Lord, and said unto him, Thou seest, brother, how many thousands of Jews there are which believe; and they are all zealous of the law: [21] And they are informed of thee, that thou teachest all the Jews which are among the Gentiles to forsake Moses, saying that they ought not to circumcise their children, neither to walk after the customs. [22] What is it therefore? the multitude must needs come together: for they will hear that thou art come. [23] Do therefore this that we say to thee: We have four men which have a vow on them; [24] Them take, and purify thyself with them, and be at charges with them, that they may shave their heads: and all may know that those things, whereof they were informed concerning thee, are nothing; but that thou thyself also walkest orderly, and keepest the law. [25] As touching the Gentiles which believe, we have written and concluded that they observe no such thing, save only that they keep themselves from things offered to idols, and from blood, and from strangled, and from fornication. [26] Then Paul took the men, and the next day purifying himself with them entered into the temple, to signify the accomplishment of the days of purification, until that an offering should be offered for every one of them.

So, given Paul’s hard-line stance in Romans and Galatians (in fact in all his writings) against born again Christians keeping or having anything to do with the Law of Moses, did Paul compromise his beliefs when he did these things we’ve just read in Acts?

Well, though border line it may be, circumcision or non-circumcision avails nothing (Gal 6:15). So clearly Paul treated these rituals as ‘a nothing’ and if he needed to do these things to win these Jews to his trust then so be it. So basically Paul had to decide between taking a hard line and not participating which would have alienated many if not all the Jews present or going along with their ritual which he saw as ‘availing nothing’ (Gal 6:15).

Galatians 6:14-16 KJV
But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world. [15] For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature. [16] And as many as walk according to this rule, peace be on them, and mercy, and upon the Israel of God.

Garry Preston

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Jigsaw Complete

Jigsaw complete – The overall picture revealed

The Bible is more than a bunch of unrelated stories.  The New Testament of the Bible was written over a period of approximately one hundred years by eight men (each writing inspired by the Holy Spirit). Even though their books were written independently (in some cases a generation apart), these Twenty-Seven books of the New Testament did not contradict but rather corroborated each other.  There is a continuing thread throughout the pages of the Bible.  The Old Testament contains the New Testament (by way of prophesy) while the New Testament explains the Old …it’s supernatural.  It’s a progressive revelation.

Read more: Jigsaw Complete

Below is a compact outline of satan’s fall, man’s fall and God’s plan of redemption for fallen man.  Let us first read what the Apostle Paul wrote:  (Titus 1:2) …in hope of eternal life which God, who cannot lie, promised before time began.

Almighty God has placed His Word (his promises) above His Name. (Psa 138:2)  …For You have magnified Your word above all Your name.

If we believe more in God than we do in His promises then we are placing His Name above His Word which is the reverse of what God has declared.  If all His promises are not true then God has lied and broken His Word.  If His Word is not true then He (God) is not true which effectively makes the whole thing one gigantic lie.  Now we Christians ALL have the inner witness of the Holy Spirit telling us: (Rom 8:16) The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God.  Therefore we know that it’s not a gigantic lie and by way of reason and logic we can see that we MUST believe in God’s promises to the same extent that we believe in Him.

Rev 12:7-9  7 And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels, 8 And prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven. 9 And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.

Satan and his angels (the demons) were cast out of Heaven to the Earth.

Gen 1:26-28  26 And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth. 27 So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them. 28 And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth.

Satan and the demons were not to be a problem to man as God gave man dominion and authority over every living thing that moves on the Earth.

Luke 4:5-6  5 And the devil, taking him up into an high mountain, shewed unto him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time. 6 And the devil said unto him, All this power will I give thee, and the glory of them: for that is delivered unto me; and to whomsoever I will I give it.

But Adam committed high treason handing man’s authority and dominion over to satan.  You’ll notice that Jesus did not dispute this fact.

Rom 5:18-19  18 Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life. 19 For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous.

Eph 1:13-14  13 In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, 14 Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.

God so loved the world (mankind) that He gave His best …Jesus.  A ransom paid to redeem mankind and restore man’s dominion and authority that Adam had lost to satan.

Ephesians Chapters 1 to 3 explain who we are in Christ.  The authority and dominion we have regained through Jesus’ sacrifice and victory over the devil on our behalf.  Yes, we gained far more than eternal life.  But first we have to know it before we can walk in that victory.

John 8:31-32 “31 Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; 32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”

The truth itself does not set you free. It’s only the truth you know that has the potential to set you free. It is knowledge of the truth that when applied in your life will set you free.

Most Christians know that Jesus paid the price for our eternal life.  However many know little of the restoration of our dominion and authority …who we are in Christ.

Job 1:7 And the LORD said unto Satan, Whence comest thou? Then Satan answered the LORD, and said, From going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it.

I Peter 5:8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:

Satan is not in Hell (not yet anyway) he is right here seeking whom he may devour and that is anyone who doesn’t know their authority in Christ and how to walk in that authority.

Col 2:13-15 13 And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses; 14 Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross; 15 And having spoiled principalities and powers (that’s satan & the demons), he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it.

Rev 12:10-11 10 And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night. 11 And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.

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.

Ephesians Chapters 4 to 6 tell us how to walk in the authority Jesus won back for us.

We are to enforce the victory Jesus wrought over the devil. 

Rev 12:11 And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony…

Garry Preston

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Born Again

John 3:7 KJV
Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.

Jesus of Nazareth

John 3:16-17 KJV
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.

Verse 17 above is the Good News which is received when we get born again.  Jesus already paid the price for our sin.  The condemnation due to sin was wrought on Jesus at the cross.  Salvation is a free gift.  It cannot be earned or bought (through good works).  Salvation is received entirely by faith in Jesus. 

Jesus + Anything = Nothing  (however) Jesus + Nothing = Everything

Ephesians 2:8-9 KJV
For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: [9] Not of works, lest any man should boast.

Salvation cannot be earned – it is a free gift from God.

1 John 4:8 KJV
He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.

Our faith does NOT move God. What motivates God is love. Not our love for Him but His love because God is love.

1 John 4:9-10,19 KJV
In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him. [10] Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. [19] We love him, because he first loved us.

John 3:7 KJV
Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.

Jesus said, “You must be born again.”  Then He explained what was meant by the terminology ‘born again’. Well this left Nicodemus (the man Jesus was speaking with) bewildered as you’ll see below.

John 3:3-8 KJV
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.

HOW does man get born-again?

Romans 10:9-13 KJV
That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. [10] For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. [11] For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. [12] For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. [13] For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.

Man was created a three-part being

Man is a tri-part being – spirit, soul and body – at the ‘new birth’ it is your spirit that gets recreated or born again. Though all three (spirit, soul & body) were purchased by the blood of Jesus at the cross our soul and body will be redeemed at a future time as we have a bodily resurrection just as Jesus did (Rom 8:23 & Eph 1:13-14).

• We are a spirit
• We have a soul
• We live in a body

1 Thessalonians 5:23 KJV
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.

Two births and two deaths explained

Romans 5:12 KJV
Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:

This death (Rom 5:12) is spiritual death. Adam died spiritually the moment he sinned and his offspring (seed) were all born in sin or spiritual death. At times this is referred to as original sin. It’s the sin nature we are all born into.

Spiritual death is separation from God. Jesus Christ died for us spirit, soul and body. (Matt 27:46; 50)

Matthew 27:46,50 KJV
And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? that is to say, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? [50] Jesus, when he had cried again with a loud voice, yielded up the ghost.

1st birth – Our natural childbirth (mother’s water breaks “born of water” John 3:5)

2nd birth – Getting born-again, our spirit is born-again and we reconnect with God. (John 3:5 & Rom 8:15-16)

1st death – All men and women alive today were born spiritually dead (which is separation from God). Just reiterating – we’re all born spiritually dead – that’s the first death. (Gen 2:17)

2nd death – Physical death. We who are born-again are appointed to die once (Heb 9:27). So even though we’re born again we will die a physical death.

Hebrews 9:27 KJV
And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:

The above is physical death. Only Adam, Eve and Jesus died spiritually, the rest of mankind were/are born into spiritual death. So all of mankind are spiritually dead and all are appointed to die a natural death.

We see Jesus died spiritually (spiritual death being separation from God) when He said:

Matthew 27:46 KJV
And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? that is to say, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?

However, we all get the opportunity to be born-again which is spiritual rebirth …to be born of the Spirit (John 3:5-7).

Though mankind is appointed to die once, it’s not limited to once for those who choose to trample underfoot such great Salvation.

Hebrews 2:3 KJV
How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him;

What happens when we get born-again?

2 Corinthians 5:17-21 KJV
Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. [18] And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; [19] To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation. [20] Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God. [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.

Hebrews 9:11-15 KJV
But Christ being come an high priest of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this building; [12] Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us. [13] For if the blood of bulls and of goats, and the ashes of an heifer sprinkling the unclean, sanctifieth to the purifying of the flesh: [14] How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God? [15] And for this cause he is the mediator of the new testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance.

Garry Preston

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