"Sharing In The Victory" -2

"Thou hast also given me the necks of mine enemies; that I might destroy them that hate me." (Psalms 18:40) I am sure that there are some of you who might have wondered about me closing with Romans 1:1-6, and how that even relates to the point I was trying to make; but if you know what point Paul was trying to make in his opening statement to those Christians that were spread throughout the Roman empire, then you know how it relates. If however you do not know, let me try and make his point by saying that the letter Paul had written to the Romans is considered by many to be 'the most profound work in existance', and is by far Paul's most comprehensive statement of the full meaning of the cross of Christ; therefore, he opens his master work with the introduction that contains the basis by which we are 'justified in Christ', and how we are called to the obedience of that justification. To some, that might sound as though we are set free and bound in the same action; however, there are two actions that are put forth: one is the action of Christ who has set us free, and the other is the reaction of us who submit to Him as Lord. In this way of looking at what it takes for a man to submit his life to the Lord, it is much the same as becoming a bond servant to Christ, and maybe even more importantly, to the cross of Christ. And how are we then 'justified' in Christ? This is something that must be understood above everything else: God is the one who declares us justified, and not only does He declare us justified, but He makes us justified! So, what is our reaction to that? It is to latch onto that justification with all of our might, and don't let go! However; we are not always so good at not letting go, and are prone to be creatures of habit, not always doing those things which strengthen our grip, but more likely doing those things that weaken it. Therefore; our answer to that issue of weakness is to crucify the flesh, thereby counting it to have been dead in the death of Jesus on the cross, and now alive in the Risen Lord Jesus from the grave. In so doing, we have established our new life to be one that is not under the law any longer, for the law was established for the old man which is no longer in existence; but we have a new law by which we are bound to, that being the law of love, and by which we are justified before God. What does that mean that we must do? LOVE!!! Now, just in case you were wondering how it is that 'Love' has anything to do with David's seemingly aggressive pursuit of his enemies; anything that comes between David and his relationship with God is something that he would consider as his enemy; as so should we! If there is something that is coming between our relationship with God, and that is causing our love to be obscured in any way, then it must be taken out! It must be hunted down and destroyed, which is the passion of our love for God that makes us want to make it happen! Now then; who do you think might be our number one enemy in all of this? "Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh. 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. For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. 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. The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: and if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ, if so be that we suffer with Him, that we may be also glorified together." (Romans 8:12-17)