No Provision for the Flesh

No Provision for the Flesh

Read Romans 13. Focus on the daily, practical points that Paul is dealing with here for those who are Christians.

In the scriptures Jesus presents to us the two principles on which all the Law and the prophets hang, love for God and Love for man (Mat 22:33-40). Romans 13 expands on exactly what love toward man should look like. We see that love toward man not only means being a good neighbour but it also means being a good citizen. Paul enumerates on things such as paying taxes, and respecting the authorities. While what Paul tells us is not exhaustive it shows us how our Christianity meets practical life. And this is what Jesus wants to do, He want’s to create individuals who make an impact on the world around them for the better.

How different would your life be were you fully clothed in Christ? That is, what parts of your life have you held back from the kind of surrender and death to self needed in order for the Lord to work in you? How would your life differ were you to make that complete surrender?

God really want’s to take us and transform us info a duplication of Jesus Christ. Surrender is one of things things that you just have to do there are no tools or techniques to it you just let go and let God. When we really think about it what is it that we are holding back from Christ?  only a sin polluted heart to clean? Not surrendering it Christ is like having a pile of dirty clothes sitting in your room when someone is offering to wash, iron, and fold them.

Prayer: Father please give us the ability to surrender to you. Help us to see that you have our best interests in mind. Thank you in Jesus name amen.

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In the Twinkling of an Eye – Wednesday’s Lesson

Read 1 Corinthians 15:49–55. What great hope is presented here? As you read the text, guess which words come from the same Greek root we've seen all week, "to clothe" or "to be clothed."

While we are here on this earth God does a transformative work in our lives but this only points toward the ultimate transformation at the second coming. There will also be a class of people who are alive on the earth when Jesus comes and they will be translated rather than resurrected. This final event is the great hope of Christianity.

Most of us (particularly as we age) realize the frailty and untrustworthiness of our flesh. If we don't yet see that frailty in ourselves, we can see it in others. Think about the hope we have in Jesus, as revealed in these verses. What could this world, in any conceivable manner, offer that would make it worth losing the promise revealed here?

When we think about what the Christian religion offers it makes sense to accept what the scriptures teach as truth. The problem is that this world can appear so real to us and heaven can seem distant and unattainable. While we are here on this earth we must set our minds on things above, and we must exercise the faith that God has given us so that the bible will come alive.

Prayer: Father thank you for the promise of translation , and transformation. Please help the promises of the scriptures to come alive to us. Father please help us to trust in you. Thank you in Jesus name amen.

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1. The Fall Into Sin – Physical and Eternal Death
2. The Introduction to John’s First LetterThe Introduction to John’s First Letter

Putting on, Taking off

Putting Off, Putting On – Tuesday’s Lesson

Read Colossians 3:1–10. As you do, realize that in verse 10, the verb to put on is from the same verb, to be clothed, that appeared in the previous verses we have studied. With that in mind, what are these texts saying to us?

When we look at this verse in comparison with the other verses it gives us a better understanding of what it means to be clothed in Christ. When we are clothed in Christ we are becoming brand new. Putting on Christ is the process of being recreated (2 Cor 5:17). While we are becoming someone brand new we are taking off the person that we used to be and we are gradually being transformed into the image of Jesus Christ (2 Cor 3:18). We must not get discouraged when we fail, the work of sanctification takes a lifetime.

Read Ephesians 4:22–24 (yes, the Greek verb in verse 24 is to clothe). What point is Paul stressing here, as well?

We make a transaction with God when we become Christians, we take our old selves and exchange it for the new self that Christ offers. We must not be discouraged when this process does not go exactly how who expect. We must also not be reluctant, be must simply put our trust in God and allow Him to work out the details.

Go back over the verses for today, looking at specific commands regarding behavior. In what areas do you need change? If you are struggling, why not seek out someone you can trust and ask for help in how you can better live out the principles taught in Scripture?

A lot of times in the christian life we try to do things on our own, but that is what the christian community is for (Luke 22:32 ). There are also other references in the scriptures which let us know there is strength in numbers (Ecl 4:9). We must not be afraid to reach out for help from our christian brothers and sisters.

Prayer: Father help us to put off the old self and put on the new self. Thank you for what you offer us in Jesus Christ, in Jesus name amen.

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1. Heirs According to the Promise
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3. Hope and Trust in God

Our Heavenly Dwelling -Thursday’s Lesson

Read 2 Corinthians 5:1–4. What is Paul telling us here? What hope is again presented? How does clothing imagery fit in?

The body is presented as a tent in this imagery. When we think of tents we understand that they are only  temporary dwellings. In the same way our bodies are temporary dwellings , and God will eventually give us a better body. Though our bodies may now be filled with pain, and aches if we just hold on God will give us a new dwelling.

What two metaphors, or images, does Paul use in these verses to depict our present situation and the hope that awaits us?

In this passage Paul uses the imagery of a house and that of clothing. In the same way that this body is temporary our time on this earth is temporary as well. This passage helps us to focus on a place which is beyond this earth. Heaven is our ultimate goal and it is our ultimate home. We sometimes forger about the world to come and focus on the world as it is. We must never get to concerned with this world that we forget to prepare for the next. We must also not be so concerned for the next world that we are of no use on this one. There awaits a reward for all the faithful from the ages, we should all make heaven our preoccupation and priority.

Think about death, about the apparent finality of it. Without hope of something beyond it, what hope is there for any of us? Dwell on all the reasons that we have for our hope that death doesn't have the final say. Bring your answers to class and discuss them there.

If death was the final say for all that we did here on this earth there would be no point to our Christianity. If there was nothing beyond death we could at least live a moral life so that we could enjoy the health and happiness that the christian lifestyle affords. Death is a solemn reality that we will all have to deal with at some point. The great thing is that Jesus faced death and He dealt with him already for us. We can can stand in the victory of Jesus Christ  by accepting through faith what He has done for us on the cross.

Prayer: Father thank you for the hope that you offer us beyond this earth. Help us to keep the reality of the world to come before us and prepare ourselves and others for it each day. Thank you in Jesus name amen.

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Heirs According to the Promise

Heirs According to the Promise – Sunday’s Lesson

Read Galatians 3:26–29. What is the main point that Paul is making? (As you read, note that the Greek word translated "put on" comes from the word meaning "to be clothed.")

Paul is making the point that when we are baptized we have put on Jesus Christ. When we have put on Jesus Christ we have become heirs according to the promise which God gave Abraham. Even though we are  not Abraham’s descendants we receive the promises offered to Abraham through faith in Jesus Christ. Belief in Jesus Christ breaks down all wall of separation, and unites us under on banner.

Read Romans 6:1–6. What is Paul saying there that should help us understand what it means to be "clothed" in Christ?

To be clothed in Christ means that we have accepted the righteousness of Jesus Christ. When we are baptised our old self is buried, and we are raised up to walk in the newness of life. As we put on Christ we accept new desires, new tastes and even new friends. The things that we once loved we no longer love, and the things we hated we no longer hate. To put on Christ is to let Christ’s transformative power have it’s way in our lives.

What are you wearing? Is what you wear in public different from what you wear when no one (you think) is watching? What does your answer tell you about yourself?

I would hope that who I am in private is the same as the person that I am in public. Sometimes we can get in the habit of living a duplistic life, every habit we form will manifest its self sooner of later. Because of the law of our natures we must sow good seeds, so that may reap a good harvest.

Prayer: Father thank you for Jesus Christ, and the promises that we have through Him. Help us to be authentic Christians of integrity. Thank you in Jesus name we pray amen.

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