The Wretched Man!
"Oh Wretched man that I am!" Rom. 7:24Have you ever wondered why EVERY Pastor and Bible teacher in every church you have attended teaches and preaches that the great apostle Paul was the wretch of Romans 7 and the CHIEF of all sinners? WHY is it that they see Bible Scripture as an excuse to keep on sinning WITHOUT condemnation? And the REAL reason why every professing Christian today THINKS that God WINKS at their sin?
The general church going public has universally accepted this notion without exception. They are convinced that God has forgiven their sins in Christ Jesus (because they believe in Him) and they will live out the remainder of their lives as a sinning wretch and go to Heaven when they die. This is NOT to say that some of them will take on a greater fashion of Christianity than others. The FORM of godliness among professing believers is very appealing because it gives them confidence they are in God's favor. But the sins of pride, lust, malice, strife, bitterness, envy and wrath, CANNOT be cloaked by an outward appearance. When you walk in the flesh, you fulfill the desires of the flesh. (Rom. 8:13)
The problem is however that THESE people (professing Christians) have been TOLD thousands and thousands of times that there is NO consequence in continuing to fulfill the evil desires of the flesh. In fact, they are taught that it's NORMAL-----SOP----(standard operating procedure) for the EVERY Christian! Including the apostle Paul, who gave them the greatest example of this 'dual nature' in the very Scriptures they read.
"I am Carnal Sold Under Sin!" Rom. 7:14
Here they are taught (without exception) that Paul is expressing to us the inward struggle of every Christian with his flesh and his inability to resist its evil desires. The BEST he can hope for is to endure this terrible battle throughout the remainder of his life and KNOW that 'In Christ' he is NO LONGER condemned for the sin. He can choose to move into Romans 8 and TRY to walk according to the Spirit, but he will always fail (daily) in his best efforts to do what is right. But ultimately it's his CHOICE! He can live by the Spirit and try to put to death the deeds of the body, or he can serve his flesh and wallow in his misery. Either way he ends up in Heaven.
"Knowing this, that our old man was crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves of sin." Rom. 6:6
You CANNOT walk in the Spirit if you have NEVER received the Spirit to begin with! That's WHY the EYE remains BAD, full of darkness. (Matt. 6:23-24) They are the blind leading the blind, never having been redeemed from their sins or forgiven by God! IF the eyes of their understanding were truly open to the truth, they would SEE that SIN BRINGS DEATH! (not life!)
That 'IF' you live according to the flesh (desires and passions) you will DIE in sin and GO TO HELL!
"For if you live according to the flesh you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live." Rom. 8:13
They read this passage and SEE an excuse to keep on sinning without consequence. The passage says: "YOU WILL DIE" WHY can't they SEE it??? It's the same with Paul. He constantly testified of heart purity, clear conscience, blameless conduct and they STILL call him the CHIEF of sinners! WHY?
Only Explanation: Because THEY are CHIEF of Sinners!
If the body of sin is NEVER done away with, as the Bible says (Rom. 6:4-6), you will ALWAYS be carnal sold under sin and a slave to sin. Paul said you are a SLAVE to WHO you OBEY, Sin that leads to DEATH or OBEDIENCE that leads to RIGHTEOUSNESS (Rom. 6:16-17). Today's professed Christian has been taught the EXACT opposite. Sin DOES NOT lead to death and obedience is optional. Again: WHY can't they SEE? The reason is they DO NOT Have the Spirit! Sin is the foregone conclusion from the start. The flesh NEVER dies with Christ and the professing Christians remain addicted to their passions. Some worse than others, of course, but ALL walking in darkness.
Blameless, Pure and Clear! (The Purpose of the Commandment! 1Tim. 1:5)
Paul was NOT a sinner. He walked blameless with the Lord with a pure heart and clear conscience. How could he tell anyone to follow his example if he was chief of sinners or the wretched man of Romans 7?
1Thess. 1:10 He testifies of devout, just and blameless conduct! (was he lying?)
2Tim. 1:3 He serves God with a PURE conscience.
Acts 24:17 He always strives to have a conscience without offense toward God and man.
1Cor. 11:1 He tells them to follow me as I follow Christ.
Throughout the Scriptures he speaks of following a good example, living worthy, being blameless and pure and void of offense. In the churches you are taught these things are impossible. And given reasons why nothing the Bible says about obedience of purity is MANDATORY. Always remember that these teachers use the SAME Bible and the same Scriptures that show clearly you MUST OBEY God and walk pure, but they tell the people it means the EXACT OPPOSITE!
WHY Do MOST people Buy into this Lie?
Paul said in 1Tim. 1:5 that the purpose of the commandment was Purity, Sincerity and Love, and IF anyone stray from this teaching they will SHIP-WRECK their faith! (See 1Tim. 1:19)
They are spiritual dead converts, without the Spirit life, but under Strong Delusion who think they are saved.
They are destitute of true godliness and VOID of any real knowledge of the truth. Easily deceived.
They are told they can SEE, but their eye is bad and whole body full of darkness
They are in the flesh and wallow in their sin fearing no consequence.
Excluding all the excuses and explaining away of commands and warnings, the Gospel message is really VERY simple. All that God is asking of us is to OBEY Him from our hearts (Faith Working by love), be PURE in our motives toward Him, and sincere in our love for others. Which translates into contending for His truth, living victorious over the world, flesh, and devil and enduring to the end.
THIS is the PATH to eternal life He has provided through the process (He has granted) of repentance and faith PROVEN by DEEDS. Man can turn this into head knowledge and make everything optional, BUT NOTHING really changes. God is still God and His WORD remains. You have the CHOICE to either OBEY Him and follow after His truth or 'BELIEVE' the lie that allows you to live in your sin assuming God will not judge you for it.
God Speaks His Final Word on the teaching of Man: " The Soul that Sins, shall surly Die!" Ezk. 18:20
If you live according to the flesh, you will DIE! Rom. 8:13.
You may not believe it now, but one day these words will be ringing in your ears for all eternity!
WAKE UP before it's too late to do anything about it!
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