Jehovah's Witnesses Straight Talk - Forum/Blog

The book of Romans

Chapter 12

Rom.12:1 Therefore I urge you, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service.

It is by the mercies of God we present our bodies a living sacrifice too God. Many since Christ Jesus time on earth have presented themselves to a religion as a sacrifice to God only to come up devastated in their faith! Man in any terms is not the mediator before God for our faith, there is one, and that one is the Christ. It is the life of Christ who is the living sacrifice too God, we a part of him, and him in us, making our lives a holy acceptable spiritual service to God.

Romans 5:15 But the free gift isn't like the trespass. For if by the trespass of the one the many died, much more did the grace of God, and the gift by the grace of the one man, Jesus Christ, abound to the many.

1Cor.1:30 But of him, you are in Christ Jesus, who was made to us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification, and redemption.

The apostles Paul urges his brothers and sisters to grasp the mercies of God, what are the mercies of God? It is Christ Jesus as a living holy sacrifice of God for our salvation, it is not our goodness by works of any law, but rather God's mercies in sending us his love before we every knew him. We do not determine what is acceptable to God by our minds of flesh sold under sins and their laws which are nothing but dead works in Christ.

1 Corinthians 2:15 But he who is spiritual discerns all things, and he himself is judged by no one.

1 Corinthians 6:17 But he who is joined to the Lord is one spirit.

1 Corinthians 8:6 yet to us there is one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we for him; and one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom are all things, and we live through him.

Our service is only acceptable if we are a branch on the Christ the tree of life, he feeds us, he teaches us, he cleanses us from all dead works, he sanctifies us before God, and presents us as his bride to God made righteous as he own righteous life. Please don't be confused here, we are urged by truth not to fall into unrighteous acts of men approving our faith. We must be determined in our faith to stand in faith in Christ the complete means of our salvation, and walk humbly under our head, letting him cherish and work within our members to the glory of God/YHWH.

John 15:1 "I am the true vine, and my Father is the farmer.
15:2 Every branch in me that doesn't bear fruit, he takes away. Every branch that bears fruit, he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. 15:3 You are already pruned clean because of the word which I have spoken to you. 15:4 Remain in me, and I in you. As the branch can't bear fruit by itself, unless it remains in the vine, so neither can you, unless you remain in me. 15:5 I am the vine. You are the branches. He who remains in me, and I in him, the same bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.

Rom.12:2 Don't be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what is the good, well-pleasing, and perfect will of God.

Conforming to the world, is more than a pursuit of riches, it is in fact giving up the mind of Christ for the mind of our world, a diametrical opposed position. Light cannot consort with darkness, that is, the system of thing that has built and supports this world, one mind is life, and the other is death, one mind is unleavened bread where as the other mind is leavened bread permeated with yeast.

Matthew 11:29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart; and you will find rest for your souls.

Yes, this world is alienated from the mind of Christ it does not exist in his mind, its thinking and corruption is dead to the life giving mind of Christ Jesus. The laws of this world are death dealing, they cannot give a person life, the law of Christ is life giving, which is the law of love. Here the apostle Paul set the stage for this part of his letter to the Roman's don't be conformed, don't be molded into the worlds thinking in the body of Christ. What does the world seek, moreover, what should those in the body of Christ seek?

2 Corinthians 10:1 Now I Paul, myself, entreat you by the humility and gentleness of Christ; I who in your presence am lowly among you, but being absent am of good courage toward you.

The world seeks power, position, respect and a noted name, all of this earned by the laws that support this world. But how can a person be under grace, that is, undeserved kindness in the body of Christ and seeking position, power, and/or recognition within a unified body of Christ where they have obtain such a position by no good efforts of their own?

Zechariah 9:9 Rejoice greatly, daughter of Zion! Shout, daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your king comes to you! He is righteous, and having salvation; lowly, and riding on a donkey, even on a colt, the foal of a donkey.

How can a person than, demand power, and position once in Christ if they themselves were given gifts from God to help other within the body of Christ? Such thinking does not conform to the Christ, such thinking is of the mind of flesh opposed to Christ.

Galatians 3:28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free man, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.

Matthew 20:25 But Jesus summoned them, and said, "You know that the rulers of the nations lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them.

Many Christian's are enamored with authority they simply will do little or no work for love of God without a person or a body of people telling them what to do, but is this the mind of Christ, which gives from the law of love, or is it conforming to our world? Does on have to be told to do good towards those they love? Moreover,those setting themselves up as God's authority really need to think hard about their own attitudes, does it conform to the Christ, and why have they been gifted with teaching, do they view such a position as the world does, or just as it really is, a slave yet proving faithful to his master under the same jurisdiction as are all slaves of the same house?

Luke 16:12 If you have not been faithful in that which is another's, who will give you that which is your own?

1 Corinthians 4:2 Here, moreover, it is required of stewards, that they be found faithful

Rom.12:3 For I say, through the grace that was given me, to every man who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think reasonably, as God has apportioned to each person a measure of faith.

How many Christian's throughout the history of Christianity thought they could control the faith of others by their teachings? Moreover, how many Christian's have believed faith is mustered from their own courage in times of trials? Furthermore, how many have found the truth that nothing good dwells in them, that is, their sinful flesh when being tried?

Gal.5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faith,{or, faithfulness} 5:23 gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law.

The apostle Paul often spoke things hard to be understood, but he never thought more highly of himself then other disciples of Christ, such is a legal judgment not from the sound mind of Christ that gives each member of his body a measure of faith. There is no boasting in ourselves, not one person of the body of Christ is responsible for the body of Christ, not even Paul. Each member therein have been given gifts of the body of Christ one being a measure of faith from the one body, not many bodies, not many faith's, not many seeds, but one!

Ephesians 4:5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism,

Without Paul's contribution by the faith of the body of Christ most Christian's would be still under the fear of the law, and its judgments, but how thankful we can be for God's contribution of faith to Paul to untangle the hard things of God. Sadly many fear the hard things of God not realizing the Holy Spirit does not reside in fear, nor does it mislead, but rather pushes us into deep things of God so we can all obtain too the oneness in Christ.

2 Corinthians 4:13 But having the same spirit of faith, according to that which is written, "I believed, and therefore I spoke."{Psalm 116:10} We also believe, and therefore also we speak.

It is easy for the fleshly mind to be content with redundancy in teachings it will build massive dummy down religious organization(s) just for that purpose of control and power. But when deep things of God are written by Holy Spirit it requires faith in the mind of God too untangle them causing students to think outside the normal pattern of fleshly thinking.

Heb. 6:1 Therefore leaving the doctrine of the first principles of Christ, let us press on to perfection--not laying again a foundation of repentance from dead works, of faith toward God, 6:2 of the teaching of baptisms, of laying on of hands, of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment. 6:3 This will we do, if God permits.

Such teachings causes us fear because it forces us into relying upon faith in God, connecting the dots for us by the head of our body which we should all be listening to, and be under anyway. There is no sure way to find out if we are in Christ and walking in love than waiting upon the Holy Spirit to patiently bring us into the fullness of the Christ.

Ephesians 4:13 until we all attain to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a full grown man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ.

Rom.12:4 For even as we have many members in one body, and all the members don't have the same function, 12:5 so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. 12:6 Having gifts differing according to the grace that was given to us, if prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of our faith; 12:7 or service, let us give ourselves to service; or he who teaches, to his teaching; 12:8 or he who exhorts, to his exhorting: he who gives, let him do it with liberality; he who rules, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness.

There are gifts, and than there is the fleshly mind that wants a position like the world, but in Christ there is only the mind of Christ in one body. However, many Christian's don't understand the difference between a gift for the body, and a lust of their fleshly mind? First, we must understand as Christian's 99.9% of our thinking comes from our fleshly mind. Whereas 1% of the time we uses the direction of the mind of Christ under Holy Spirit. The fleshly mind finds this offensive , but the point is most often we are reacting from a law under the power of sin, which is death, and/or the fleshly mind when we correct others with the bible.

James 3:1 Let not many of you be teachers, my brothers, knowing that we will receive heavier judgment. 3:2 For in many things we all stumble. If anyone doesn't stumble in word, the same is a perfect man, able to bridle the whole body also.

Romans 8:7 because the mind of the flesh is hostile towards God; for it is not subject to God's law, neither indeed can it be.

The law of the body of Christ is love, not a legal judgment that is impersonal, meaning judges judge impersonally by legal definition of the law so emotions are not involved which will pervert their judgments. Law cannot allow for love, the law cannot allow for affection, or compassion, or it will not be impartial, but is this how the body of Christ function with its gifts?

1 John 4:8 He who doesn't love doesn't know God, for God is love.

To answer that, let us look to creation to teach us the truth, our body does not function from the legal harshness of the legal mind most of the time if one member has a need another member comes to its aid helping it back into its position within the body for the good of the body. But it not a competition like the fleshly mind creates in all things in being better. The fleshly mind works from fear of losing something, usually an imagine respect in position, but none of this has anything to do with Christ and his body. The mind of Christ does the opposite - in giving freely not fearing for loss, which is the key to more joy and happiness creating greater blessing for each member of the body.

Galatians 5:13 For you, brothers, were called for freedom. Only don't use your freedom for gain to the flesh, but through love be servants to one another.

Without the full function of the body all suffer in the body, the body can get by with certain missing part, but its not its desire or goal of the body, why? Because the mind of the body does not give us individually a choice in the matter of who should, or should not be in the body. Frankly, and most often it will be someone requiring us to have faith in God's judgment and not our own to accept!

1 Corinthians 12:18 But now God has set the members, each one of them, in the body, just as he desired.

The harmony lost by sin permeates our very desires it is what is accepted in the world as normal, it is a lust for attention, power, and it yearns jealousy to have more than others. It is spirit that yearns within each one of us, but its not the Spirit of love and unity within the body of Christ. When we possess such yearnings, let us not brag and lie against the truth, that is, Christ Jesus the body we are a part of, How do we do that?

Jmaes 4:5 Or do you think that the Scripture says in vain, "The spirit who lives in us yearns jealously"? 4:6 But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, "God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble."{Proverbs 3:34}

James 3:14 But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your heart, don't boast and don't lie against the truth. 3:15 This wisdom is not that which comes down from above, but is earthly, sensual, and demonic. 3:16 For where jealousy and selfish ambition are, there is confusion and every evil deed.

Simply put, justifying our evil actions as a need within the body of Christ to correct other members with a noble causes. We have all been taught wrong by the world, and its religions. We all have the media information on how bosses and leader should conduct themselves and misinterpretation of the bible, but none of us have been mislead in love the unifying truth of the body of Christ. Let each of us know, Holy Spirit does not excite our flesh, and its lust, it kills our flesh and lust. Thus, giving glory to Christ, and his rightful position as our head and teacher of his own body in which he cherish in loves, and feeds us.

Eph. 5:29 For no man ever hated his own flesh; but nourishes and cherishes it, even as the Lord also does the assembly; 5:30 because we are members of his body, of his flesh and bones. 5:31 "For this cause a man will leave his father and mother, and will be joined to his wife. The two will become one flesh."{Genesis 2:24} 5:32 This mystery is great, but I speak concerning Christ and of the assembly.
5:33 Nevertheless each of you must also love his own wife even as himself; and let the wife see that she respects her husband.

Rom.12:9 Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor that which is evil. Cling to that which is good.

Love without hypocrisy what does it really mean in context to the apostle Paul's writing here? Moreover, abhorring evil, clinging to what is good? First, Christ is good, because the Father YHWH glorified his Son as good, once for all time for us humans needing redemption from sin, so let us cling to him not a religious organization having both good and evil on its tree.

Heb. 1:3 His Son is the radiance of his glory, the very image of his substance, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself made purification for our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high; 1:4 having become so much better than the angels, as he has inherited a more excellent name than they have. 1:5 For to which of the angels did he say at any time, "You are my Son. Today have I become your father?"{Psalm 2:7} and again, "I will be to him a Father, and he will be to me a Son?"{2 Samuel 7:14; 1 Chronicles 17:13} 1:6 Again, when he brings in the firstborn into the world he says, "Let all the angels of God worship him."

The purest form of hypocrisy is applying rules and laws to others that we have been freed from by no goodness of our own. Nothing could be more evil than killing people spiritually by laws created for death while being in the wonderful life freed from death's laws in Christ Jesus. This is the evil we should as appreciative children of God abhor! Furthermore, this in the context of Paul writing here the constant battle between flesh and Spirit where the nature of sin in us wants to condemn and judges others too death by God's righteous laws while we ourselves are freed in Christ by God's grace.

Rom. 7:18 For I know that in me, that is, in my flesh, dwells no good thing. For desire is present with me, but I don't find it doing that which is good. 7:19 For the good which I desire, I don't do; but the evil which I don't desire, that I practice.

Matt. 7:1 "Don't judge, so that you won't be judged. 7:2 For with whatever judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with whatever measure you measure, it will be measured to you. 7:3 Why do you see the speck that is in your brother's eye, but don't consider the beam that is in your own eye? 7:4 Or how will you tell your brother, 'Let me remove the speck from your eye;' and behold, the beam is in your own eye? 7:5 You hypocrite! First remove the beam out of your own eye, and then you can see clearly to remove the speck out of your brother's eye.

If each member clanged to Christ in such humility the body of Christ on earth would function in love the perfect bond of peace, nothing would be lacking for its members in building one another up in truth and love. But here is Paul's time the nature of the beast, the nature of sin yearning jealousy longed for recognition and power over others in the body of Christ, and how would a person gain what is not gain-able as a slave in the body of Christ?

Rom.13:8 Owe no one anything, except to love one another; for he who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the law.

By the guilt of sin that which Christ defeated, where is the power of sin come from? The law! Here than is the hidden motive of those teaching law instead of Christ, manipulation of sins laws for control of others faith using guilt by their legal definition of sin, through laws abolished in Christ.

1Cor. 15:55 "Death, where is your sting? Hades{or, Hell}, where is your victory?"{Hosea 13:14} 15:56 The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. 15:57 But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Rom.8:1 There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who don't walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.{NU omits "who don't walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit"} 8:2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus made me free from the law of sin and of death.

Rom.12:10 In love of the brothers be tenderly affectionate one to another; in honor preferring one another.

It hard for a religion or a legal book to judge a person into loving others with tender affection, such legislation alludes the emotions of loving another person as though they are apart of their own body. Here are words of the apostle Paul having very little meaning to a legal minded judgmental person, whom puts on the black robe of judgments under the hypocrisy of the label of love. The two are incapable, but nevertheless, such labels satisfies the fleshly minded person evaluation of tender affection in loving one another.

1 John 4:20 If a man says, "I love God," and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who doesn't love his brother whom he has seen, how can he love God whom he has not seen?

Paul speak to a body, the body of Christ, which is cherished, and loved by him and His Father, he is not speaking to a earthly organization or a government, nor a group of people labeling themselves by Christ name, no! But instead to a living body indwelt with the Holy Spirit of God through Christ Jesus in tender affection. This care, and affection cannot be legislated by guilt, by committee, nor by education, it is a condition within the body of Christ that feeds and cherishes each body member by Christ own feelings.

1 John 4:18 There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear has punishment. He who fears is not made perfect in love.

Eph.5:25 Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the assembly, and gave himself up for it; 5:26 that he might sanctify it, having cleansed it by the washing of water with the word,
5:27 that he might present the assembly to himself gloriously, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish. 5:28 Even so husbands also ought to love their own wives as their own bodies. He who loves his own wife loves himself. 5:29 For no man ever hated his own flesh; but nourishes and cherishes it, even as the Lord also does the assembly; 5:30 because we are members of his body, of his flesh and bones.
5:31 "For this cause a man will leave his father and mother, and will be joined to his wife. The two will become one flesh."{Genesis 2:24} 5:32 This mystery is great, but I speak concerning Christ and of the assembly. 5:33 Nevertheless each of you must also love his own wife even as himself; and let the wife see that she respects her husband.

Christ is saving us, lets says that one more time Christ is saving us by God's love towards us, which never fails, do you understand this? In other words, where false religion tries to make Christian's love each other, or lies about the love they have for each others it is nothing great for every other group on earth can have the same love under the same circumstances. But here Paul speaks of a love the world cannot know, God's love in Christ Jesus a gift of Holy Spirit.

John 15:19 If you were of the world, the world would love its own. But because you are not of the world, since I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.

John 15:9 Even as the Father has loved me, I also have loved you. Remain in my love.

This love comes down from above to us, this love units in a perfect bond of peace the body of Christ. It is this love that freely forgives and is freely given us. This is the love that is perfect lights with no variation of shadow unlike sins love from mankind. It is never changing in producing life in the body of Christ Jesus. This is the workings the world cannot know or do they care about, the love of the world is interested in an intellectual definition of love so they can boast in truth while hating their brothers and sisters in their hearts, this is the false standard of sinful love, which must be unnaturally forced onto legally minded people keeping them in check! Let us sober up, no sinful human forgets about their own body, needing to be told to love it?

We all are a long way from saving love of God!

Romans 8:35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Could oppression, or anguish, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?

Romans 8:39 nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Rom.12:11 not lagging in diligence; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord; 12:12 rejoicing in hope; enduring in troubles; continuing steadfastly in prayer; 12:13 contributing to the needs of the saints; given to hospitality.

The proof of Christ is marked by love, love of God, not love like mankind under the fallen flesh driven by lust of our flesh into misguided loyalty to every created thing under the Sun. It is vital that a Christian's separates the spirit from the flesh, in at least knowing there is a vast difference in God's Spirit motivating a person by fruit of Holy Spirit than being motivated by fleshly lust for upward obtainment like the world.

James 3:10 Out of the same mouth comes forth blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so.
3:11 Does a spring send out from the same opening fresh and bitter water? 3:12 Can a fig tree, my brothers, yield olives, or a vine figs? Thus no spring yields both salt water and fresh water.
3:13 Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by his good conduct that his deeds are done in gentleness of wisdom.
3:14 But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your heart, don't boast and don't lie against the truth. 3:15 This wisdom is not that which comes down from above, but is earthly, sensual, and demonic. 3:16 For where jealousy and selfish ambition are, there is confusion and every evil deed. 3:17 But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceful, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.
3:18 Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.

Many have taken Paul's words here made them into a reason to seek position and power within a group of men label by a religious name; not being able to separated the fleshly lust of a person heart into the fruit of Holy Spirit which opposes and hates such evil. Yes, be diligence in killing the lust of the flesh, be fervent for Holy Spirit in walking in love and humility! Whoops! That is not as much fun, and it not as exciting as seeking attention and power in some religious group.

Romans 7:18 For I know that in me, that is, in my flesh, dwells no good thing. For desire is present with me, but I don't find it doing that which is good.

Rejoice in hope of Holy Spirit, not bragging in hope to make a person different better than another in Christ, endure in troubles, don't write a book about me the wonderful Christian's in overcoming all your troubles. Be steadfast in prayer don't boast in your prayers as a mighty prayer warrior in Christ, stop and separated the lust of your own heart instead of labeling them the fruit of Holy Spirit. Yes, contribute to the needs of the holy ones, go into your closet, don't let your right hand know what your left is doing; don't brag about your gifts of mercy, than you will have a reward, if they are done in secret? You see, Holy Spirit lead just the opposite of what the flesh lead us. Holy Spirit does not brag or earn the approval of men upon earth. It looks only to God's approval in the secret person of our hearts, it produces fruit for God's glory alone not ours or man's approval. So with those thoughts in mind, than you can understand Paul's words here and take the lead in Holy Spirit gifts for your brothers and sisters.

Romans 8:1 There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who don't walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.{NU omits "who don't walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit"}

Rom.12:14 Bless those who persecute you; bless, and don't curse.

Many of us as Christian's never give much thought as to what scriptural cursing is, we think in terms of dirty hurtful words and those are bad enough. However, Christian's can curse others with words from their bibles! Christ himself was often cursed by those with very good knowledge of God's word the bible. God set the example in blessing those that were cursed by his own law.

John 8:15 You judge according to the flesh. I judge no one.

Christ became our curse in taking our sins. In other words, curse is a person into death without the removal of sin. The law was good and righteous, but we, not so much! None of us can put away the filth of sin being born into sin. So Christ blesses us by taking our sins cursed under the law. But here than is the question? If God blessed you by removing our curse in Christ Jesus what law to you judge by?

Galatians 3:13 Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us. For it is written, "Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree,"{Deuteronomy 21:23}

Do you curse others asking them to meet laws that cursed you? Do you return evil for good, does this shock you? Well, frankly for many they never think they are cursing others using laws from their bible, but rather believe they are judging others righteously. Thus, the question is, why did Christ take our curse if we could put it away ourselves. In other words, if you and I could meet the law of God perfectly why would we have every need Christ in the first place?

Romans 3:10 As it is written, "There is no one righteous; no, not one.

Truth is we could not, only one person proved to be sinless under God's perfect and good law, Christ! He alone removed our curse, by not being judged by a law for sinners, that is, being sinless. Subsequently, the Jews by the law cursed Christ and judge him with evil intention, but they were dead wrong, they returned evil for God's good, and both YHWH and Christ still blessed those Jews persecuting them.

Matt. 5:43 "You have heard that it was said, 'You shall love your neighbor,{Leviticus 19:18} and hate your enemy.{not in the Bible, but see Qumran Manual of Discipline Ix, 21-26}' 5:44 But I tell you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who mistreat you and persecute you,
5:45 that you may be children of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the just and the unjust. 5:46 For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Don't even the tax collectors do the same?
5:47 If you only greet your friends, what more do you do than others? Don't even the tax collectors do the same? 5:48 Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect.

Rom.12:15 Rejoice with those who rejoice. Weep with those who weep. 12:16 Be of the same mind one toward another. Don't set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble. Don't be wise in your own conceits.

What is the mind of the body of Christ? In a world divided by strife and jealousy? For the world their are many minds, those minds can only be brought together through strong laws of the flesh, enforce upon minds of the flesh demanding conformity and respect by religion, government and/or businesses. Yet, each mind seeks its own glory within the institution of flesh to outshine another for human praise and recognition. But what of the mind of the body of Christ whom Paul spoke too here?
Romans 8:6 For the mind of the flesh is death, but the mind of the Spirit is life and peace.

James. 4:1 Where do wars and fightings among you come from? Don't they come from your pleasures that war in your members?
4:2 You lust, and don't have. You kill, covet, and can't obtain. You fight and make war. You don't have, because you don't ask.
4:3 You ask, and don't receive, because you ask with wrong motives, so that you may spend it for your pleasures. 4:4 You adulterers and adulteresses, don't you know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God. 4:5 Or do you think that the Scripture says in vain, "The Spirit who lives in us yearns jealously"? 4:6 But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, "God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble."{Proverbs 3:34}

Did Paul speak by his own mind, and did each member therein speak by their own mind as the body of Christ? Let us contemplate this thought serious and perhaps we can touch upon godly headship giving us some meaning within a divided world where hardly a marriage functions any longer. The mind of the body of Christ is found in its head, Christ Jesus, a mind that is under the headship of God/YHWH. A submissive mind, thus, implying a very humble mind. Christ can be humble in mind and spirit because he knows something most of us think we know, but don't, God's love. God's love impels Christ to be humble, but many Christian's get it backwards, they thinking if I can't determine love from a brother or sister I don't have to show love. But Christ is impels by God's love, he says this: “I act in love, because God is love.”

1 Corinthians 2:16 "For who has known the mind of the Lord, that he should instruct him?"{Isaiah 40:13} But we have Christ's mind.

Christ was made into flesh so he could be compassionate towards our human weakness under sin. Let us not be like the world and act like we don't know sin, hence, presenting ourselves a public image, we all hold what is common to all mankind the works of our flesh, we are not Prima Donnas. God has left us in our flesh, to become vessels of mercy and love. So we can sympathies which each others fallen condition, doing so by comparing ourselves to God's love. The mind we have is Christ our head, we are under his spirit as body members, he humbled himself empty himself into a slaves form for the human race.

2 Corinthians 13:11 Finally, brothers, rejoice. Be perfected, be comforted, be of the same mind, live in peace, and the God of love and peace will be with you.

Philippians.2:1 If there is therefore any exhortation in Christ, if any consolation of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any tender mercies and compassion, 2:2 make my joy full, by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind;
2:3 doing nothing through rivalry or through conceit, but in humility, each counting others better than himself; 2:4 each of you not just looking to his own things, but each of you also to the things of others. 2:5 Have this in your mind, which was also in Christ Jesus, 2:6 who, existing in the form of God, didn't consider equality with God a thing to be grasped, 2:7 but emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, being made in the likeness of men. 2:8 And being found in human form, he humbled himself, becoming obedient to death, yes, the death of the cross. 2:9 Therefore God also highly exalted him, and gave to him the name which is above every name;

Now we know our the real condition of our own hearts under sin, this should gives us every reason to give the life of Christ working in us to each other as the only life worthy of giving. It is with this mind Paul speaks to here.

Rom.7:18 For I know that in me, that is, in my flesh, dwells no good thing. For desire is present with me, but I don't find it doing that which is good.

Rom.12:17 Repay no one evil for evil. Respect what is honorable in the sight of all men. 12:18 If it is possible, as much as it is up to you, be at peace with all men. 12:19 Don't seek revenge yourselves, beloved, but give place to God's wrath. For it is written, "Vengeance belongs to me; I will repay, says the Lord."{Deuteronomy 32:35}

How did God seek peace with us? How did Christ seek peace with us? Did God judge us into his peace, did Christ judge us into peace with him? Here than Paul was dealing with those Jewish converts wanting to bring in judgment of the old law into what Christ had freed each of these brothers and sisters from. Why is judgment to some the single mark of strength of all the points of power for them is found in God's judgment or His coming judgment? Can you imagine for one moment being in a group of young children, and all they can speak of is their parents judgment upon them and the judgment coming upon them, what would you think?

Luke 2:14 "Glory to God in the highest, on earth peace, good will toward men."

Mark 9:50 Salt is good, but if the salt has lost its saltiness, with what will you season it? Have salt in yourselves, and be at peace with one another."

Would you conclude they had a loving peaceful relationship with their parent? Moreover, what you noted is they were judging each other just as harshly! What fruit would that be? The fruit of peace from the Holy Spirit, or fear of judgment? Words are powerful, and righteous words from our bible has changed this world for good or bad. Do we see God's wrath, as Christ Jesus, or do we see how God seeks peace with each of us through Christ Jesus as His love? Love to the fleshly mind person is rejected as mundane, and the weakest thing of God among mankind, a foolish thing. Hence, the wisdom of the wise reject love for intellectual understanding of Revelations of God's word.

uke 19:42 saying, "If you, even you, had known today the things which belong to your peace! But now, they are hidden from your eyes.

John 14:27 Peace I leave with you. My peace I give to you; not as the world gives, give I to you. Don't let your heart be troubled, neither let it be fearful.

What spirit are we filled with, really that is the question? The fruit of peace is the overseer of those in Christ Jesus as his body upon earth, but how did they come from wrath into peace? Certainly, not by knowledge of law, or knowledge of some truth in the bible. They came from wrath into peace with God through the life of Christ. Why than do Christian's constantly thinking more knowledge bring them greater peace? Why does it always end up in more judgments and disagreements among religious people? Why is the making of more book vanity? Why is there transgression in many words? Why should few be teachers among the body of Christ, and why is teachings the only thing some believe makes them of valued member of the body of Christ? What of the humble servant that serves others, what of those that just support and wash the feet of the teachers?

Romans 3:17 The way of peace, they haven't known."{Isaiah 59:7-8}

Romans 5:1 Being therefore justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.

1 Corinthians 14:33 for God is not a God of confusion, but of peace. As in all the assemblies of the saints.

Here than is the root of the great apostasy, those wanting to teach in the body of Christ, more, yes, more than Christ, secret knowledge, knowledge of what? The very thing that caused God's judgment upon them in the first place, the law. They could have no peace with God through teachings the law, they could not be a young child in Christ by teaching fear of judgment of God. The law dealt with the flesh that which pleases men by sight the things of the flesh, and its mind, how? Through laws for the flesh, and knowledge that saves their flesh, and makes them intellectual in the eyes of fleshly mind. But all this is dead in Christ, and the flesh cannot have peace with God, it can only receive evil from God's judgment cause us wrath.

Romans 8:9 But you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if it is so that the Spirit of God dwells in you. But if any man doesn't have the Spirit of Christ, he is not his.

John 4:23 But the hour comes, and now is, when the true worshippers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father seeks such to be his worshippers.

These brothers must learn to return good for evil, seeking peace by Holy Spirit, be thankful for God's undeserved kindness, not being a fear mongers distorting every thought of the mind of the body into fear of judgment. They must teach truth in God's love by the law of the body, the mind of Christ which is freedom returning good for those seeking wrath and evil.

Galatians 5:17 For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, that you may not do the things that you desire.

Galatians 5:18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.

Galatians 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faith,{or, faithfulness}

Rom.12:20 Therefore "If your enemy is hungry, feed him. If he is thirsty, give him a drink; for in doing so, you will heap coals of fire on his head."{Proverbs 25:21-22} 12:21 Don't be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

If none are good according to the Christ, but one, how do we do good towards others? In other words, if we peach ourselves, our being wronged, or personally bearing up because we consider we are a “good person” according to the worlds standard of good, have we repaid good for evil?

Matthew 19:17 He said to him, "Why do you call me good? No one is good but one, that is, God. But if you want to enter into life, keep the commandments."

YHWH says Christ is good, upon his resurrection, he declares to heaven and earth Christ goodness exulting him to the highest position as King of eternity where even God's holy angels worship him. Christ is the good spoken here above by Paul, not a religion, a church, an organization; do these overcome evil by good? No! Such foolishness is comparing evil against evil, not overcoming evil by good, how can one say this my religion does good. Yes, but only one is good until a person can unlock that mystery of Christ words they will always be into promoting an agenda of man goodness against mans goodness with is evil too God.

Matthew 7:17 Even so, every good tree produces good fruit; but the corrupt tree produces evil fruit.

That mystery of good is the standard of all God's purpose for our earth and the human race, which is, sinless, proven sinlessness as faithful to God while being tested in our flesh. Only Christ could do that of all born upon this earth since Adam. Christ is good, his fruits have proven to be without evil, that is, sin. He becomes the tree of life, replacing Adam as our father of eternity. Now how do we overcome evil by good, do we do so by preaching the law of Moses, condemning others with its judgments, or our prophecy, doctrine, how are religion is the best the only one preaching the Good News does this fleshly battle overcome evil with good?

Romans 2:21 You therefore who teach another, don't you teach yourself? You who preach that a man shouldn't steal, do you steal?

1 Corinthians 1:23 but we preach Christ crucified; a stumbling block to Jews, and foolishness to Greeks.

We overcome the evil of sin, by not promoting more sin. We overcome sin by giving a person the one thing God has declared righteous, Christ Jesus, why righteous. Because Christ is good he is sinless, now we give back good, the same good given us while we were yet sinners, evil to God.

Matthew 12:33 "Either make the tree good, and its fruit good, or make the tree corrupt, and its fruit corrupt; for the tree is known by its fruit.

2 Corinthians 4:5 For we don't preach ourselves, but Christ Jesus as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus' sake.

Completed on: December 14, 2013

By: Daniel a Slave of Christ Jesus