Jehovah's Witnesses Straight Talk - Forum/Blog

The book of Colossians

Chapter 3

Col.3:1 If then you were raised together with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated on the right hand of God. 3:2 Set your mind on the things that are above, not on the things that are on the earth.

Human are born, and they die. According to scriptures we die from sin, some die prematurely, but all die from sin. However, what of so many Christian's who don't truly understand the subject of death from their bibles? They seem to not understand because of Adam sin human we are dead to God even though the live a normal life upon earth for 70-80 years? So another words, dead how? Being able to associate, commune if you will, with the source of eternal life, like Adam had before sinning, and Christ always had because he was sinless.

1 John 5:18 We know that whoever is born of God doesn't sin, but he who was born of God keeps himself, and the evil one doesn't touch him.

Galatians 3:22 But the Scriptures imprisoned all things under sin, that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe.

Ephesians 2:1 You were made alive when you were dead in transgressions and sins,

We are born into death, we are not born into life, that is, the life Adam lost for us. Thus, all things according to the scriptures of our old life before being made alive in Christ is dead. It was always dead because nothing within our fallen flesh is alive to God just as nothing within Adam's life after sinning was alive to God YHWH. Subsequently, for us to really understand any of the Greek scriptures including Revelation where its states; the rest of the dead did not come to life until the thousand's years ended, we must first understand the condition of Death to the one saving us God YHWH.

Romans 6:4 We were buried therefore with him through baptism to death, that just like Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we also might walk in newness of life.

Romans 6:9 knowing that Christ, being raised from the dead, dies no more. Death no more has dominion over him!

Romans 6:11 Thus consider yourselves also to be dead to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Once we grasp this, we have a key to unlocking the context of the scriptures. In other words, the law is good, its is spiritual, and is from God. But we are dead in our sins, the walking dead if you will! God provides us blood (under the law) for atonement for certain sins, why? So we can act upon faith in the power of the blood which allows each person under the law atonement (remission removal of sins), and a standing with God in a holy nation. Without atonement we are dead in our sins (we cannot stand before God as righted). Many confuse works of law with atonement, how?

Exodus 12:7 They shall take some of the blood, and put it on the two doorposts and on the lintel, on the houses in which they shall eat it.

Exodus 12:13 The blood shall be to you for a token on the houses where you are: and when I see the blood, I will pass over you, and there shall no plague be on you to destroy you, when I strike the land of Egypt.

Hebrews 10:4 For it is impossible that the blood of bulls and goats should take away sins.

Hebrews 10:19 Having therefore, brothers, boldness to enter into the holy place by the blood of Jesus,

Simply by thinking that a good work done by them in the name of God, atones sin. Causing a “work” to gain them merit, then they add merit to merit thinking they've gain by good works, life, but they don't, it is a lie! It is atonement in what God has provided to us that declares a person righteous, that is, not having sin before God that saves us. Hence, the law did not declare anyone righteous, it was the blood.

Hebrews 9:22 According to the law, nearly everything is cleansed with blood, and apart from shedding of blood there is no remission.

Romans 5:9 Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we will be saved from God's wrath through him.

Ephesians 2:8 for by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God,

Now we turn to the apostle Paul's words above. Christ blood atoned once and for all times are judgment, to do that our sin had to be cleansed once for all times, but how? Simply by God declaring on Christ blood our flesh dead to his judgment any longer by his righteous law. Thus, if we are dead to sin, we are not upon this earth judgments of sin any longer, where must look to above to a new law of life administer too us by Spirit?

Titus 3:5 not by works of righteousness, which we did ourselves, but according to his mercy, he saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit.

Romans 10:9 that if you will confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.

Romans 10:13 For, "Whoever will call on the name of the Lord will be saved."{Joel 2:32}

The world, and all that in it, its laws, its governments, commerce, and religion is dead to God, they are all built by death of men in death tying to avail themselves by good works to gain enough merit to have eternal life, an illusion, and the grand lie! Life comes from above the very thing Adam rebel against, his life did not come from himself, or the devil, nor his wife, he got it backwards! His life came from God, his life was sustained by God's power not his own. Christ did not get it backwards, he knew and obeyed the source of all life perfectly becoming responsible for our eternal life. The pattern we must follow, thus, the name Christian "in Christ".

Colossians 1:13 who delivered us out of the power of darkness, and translated us into the Kingdom of the Son of his love;

Ephesians 3:16 that he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, that you may be strengthened with power through his Spirit in the inward man;

Ephesians 3:20 Now to him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us.

Where is the source of our life the Christ? Not in death on earth, or the darkness of death, he is not under sins, or any of its laws which cannot give us life, because they are dead, created from death. Christ is life,and life is in him. The laws of Christ life are life. These brothers and sisters must remember they have been given a new birth from death into life. They cannot stay under the laws of death, no matter if they are righteous to the flesh or not (the flesh dead in Christ)! They must be under the laws of life found only in the life of Christ their redeemer. What is the mind of Christ, certain not death in judging what God has already stated is death throughout his written words, sin!

1Tim.1:9 as knowing this, that law is not made for a righteous man, but for the lawless and insubordinate, for the ungodly and sinners, for the unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for manslayers, 1:10 for the sexually immoral, for homosexuals, for slave-traders, for liars, for perjurers, and for any other thing contrary to the sound doctrine;

Romans 3:20 Because by the works of the law, no flesh will be justified in his sight. For through the law comes the knowledge of sin.

Romans 3:28 We maintain therefore that a man is justified by faith apart from the works of the law.

What is in Christ, is life, we must feed on that mind, but we cannot if we are feeding on death mind from below, found in the teachings of religion, or any person mind, which is not the mind of Christ. Christ mind comes to us from where? Above, through the Holy Spirit, but first we must be atone for, and than we must believe in God's power though the blood, and not in ourselves. This is how we are seated with Christ, fixing our minds on that truth of life, rejected by the whole world under death from sin. This is how one becomes a light to the world, by the oil of Christ by Holy Spirit not by intellectual understanding of the scriptures.

Philippians 3:20 For our citizenship is in heaven, from where we also wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ;

Philippians 3:9 and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own, that which is of the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith;

Galatians 6:2 Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.

Colossians 3:2 Set your mind on the things that are above, not on the things that are on the earth.

Ephesians 4:10 He who descended is the one who also ascended far above all the heavens, that he might fill all things.

John 8:23 He said to them, "You are from beneath. I am from above. You are of this world. I am not of this world.

John 3:31 He who comes from above is above all. He who is from the Earth belongs to the Earth, and speaks of the Earth. He who comes from heaven is above all.

Col.3:3 For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.
3:4 When Christ, our life, is revealed, then you will also be revealed with him in glory.

Many of men and woman since Christ have sought hard to be glorified upon earth, while in their flesh for Christ name. In fact, the truth be told it is the Christian's way in our times - making a name for oneself in Christ name. Building a world wide ministry, if were not growing in fame we are not doing the will of our Father in heaven. So in grained is this lust for power and fame in the ministry many have gone into death feeling disappointed their ministry wasn't great enough.

John 8:50 But I don't seek my own glory. There is one who seeks and judges.

John 8:54 Jesus answered, "If I glorify myself, my glory is nothing. It is my Father who glorifies me, of whom you say that he is our God.

But conspicuously missing from the Christ, and his apostles is that argument for greatness in their minister upon earth, but why such a stark contrast between to days Christian's and the early Christian's? First and foremost God's glorification does not come to a Christian's until he/she is resurrected with Christ, until then their true worth to mankind is hidden in Christ, but why?

Romans 1:23 and traded the glory of the incorruptible God for the likeness of an image of corruptible man, and of birds, and four-footed animals, and creeping things.

Romans 8:19 For the creation waits with eager expectation for the children of God to be revealed.

Well, Christianity is really simple! We have our example, and we are pattern after our example, and who is that? Christ Jesus, we are not a lone wolf, we are instead purchase for Christ by his blood for his body. In other words, Christ is still working in his body for what purpose? The setting of creation free of the corruption from sin and death. Christ is not building kingdoms upon this earth in the name of some religion, and if you can't or won't believe that than you are faced with a perplexing question, and what is that? Christ stated his Kingdom is not part of this world, and was put to death for saying such. Next Christ tells his disciples they would be hated by this world and unknown by it just as he was!

2 Corinthians 5:10 For we must all be revealed before the judgment seat of Christ; that each one may receive the things in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad.

1 Peter 5:4 When the chief Shepherd is revealed, you will receive the crown of glory that doesn't fade away.

John 3:5 Jesus answered, "Most certainly I tell you, unless one is born of water and spirit, he can't enter into the Kingdom of God!

John 18:36 Jesus answered, "My Kingdom is not of this world. If my Kingdom were of this world, then my servants would fight, that I wouldn't be delivered to the Jews. But now my Kingdom is not from here."

But lastly and more importantly which Christian's religion out of the 51-thousand of them today upon earth don't produce good and bad fruit on the same tree? If you love truth than you must speak truth, all religion on earth have two types of fruit good and bad. So if Christ Kingdom is part of this world and its religions that why did he say a good tree cannot have “any” bad fruit? Than he said a bad tree cannot produce good fruit?

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.

Matt. 7:17 Even so, every good tree produces good fruit; but the corrupt tree produces evil fruit. 7:18 A good tree can't produce evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree produce good fruit.

Now if you read the words above by the apostle Paul in context to the example we are to follow (Christ) they will make perfect sense. Christ Kingdom is free from the corruption of all this world and things in this world. Those made apart of Christ are freed from sin, and are hid with Christ, and when they die in their flesh than like Christ they will be glorified for his kingdom and not any other upon earth including their own.

Galatians 4:26 But the Jerusalem that is above is free, which is the mother of us all.

Philippians 2:9 Therefore God also highly exalted him, and gave to him the name which is above every name;

Colossians 3:1 If then you were raised together with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated on the right hand of God.

This leaves the flesh powerless, and squarely put all power and glory for Christ Kingdom in the hands of Holy Spirit. Now if you read Colossians in context you will find this is what Christ did for his body members taking away the power of the flesh, killing it, stripping all power and authority for God's Kingdom from mankind's efforts, placing power and authority in Christ upon his own glorification at his resurrection not before - proving Satan a liar.

Ephesians 1:21 far above all rule, and authority, and power, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age, but also in that which is to come.

Ephesians 3:20 Now to him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us.

Col.3:5 Put to death therefore your members which are on the earth: sexual immorality, uncleanness, depraved passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry; 3:6 for which things' sake the wrath of God comes on the children of disobedience.

There are only two options for God's children, to live in the life of Christ, and/or be dead to the life of Christ in “works” of our flesh. Here some actually believed they could be under law of Moses which did not kill sin in a person, but instead exposed it as evil, than convicted it, and punished it as such.

Hebrews 10:14 For by one offering he has perfected forever those who are being sanctified.

Hebrews 7:19 (for the law made nothing perfect), and a bringing in of a better hope, through which we draw near to God.

What choice did a Jewish person have? They could not, not be a non-sinner by works of law, so how were they to live under the law when it condemned them as a sinner (dead)? They must stop lying to themselves and accept fully the blood (life) upon the altar as their salvation in saving them from God's righteous judgment by his law. If not, if they refused in self-righteousness God's wrath remained upon them, why? Because they had not put faith in the atoning sacrifice of blood (life) paying the price for their sins. They had put faith in their own works, works, which mean in obeying the rule of law and believing those works made them righteous, and/or right before God! (death vs. life, flesh vs life in the power of blood.)

Hebrews 9:22 According to the law, nearly everything is cleansed with blood, and apart from shedding of blood there is no remission.

James 2:10 For whoever keeps the whole law, and yet stumbles in one point, he has become guilty of all.

Now here is the dichotomy those thinking they can prove themselves righteous by works of law face, and what is that? When they read Paul's words here they narrow the application to where they think Paul is saying a Christian's must atone for themselves by good works (flesh keeping rules, which is death), but he is not.

1 Peter 3:21 This is a symbol of baptism, which now saves you--not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

1 John 1:8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.

He is however, teaching the entire thought of all the Greek writing and particular his own writings, which is, stay in Christ, or you are practicing sin by works of law. The anointed are dead in Christ (flesh) they must be to be filled with his life; death, and life are always opposed in the Greek writings. Death is our (flesh dead in Christ) the life is Christ life indwelling us because we are dead in our flesh. Outside of the life of Christ there is no atonement, just like outside of the nation of Israel there was no atonement for the nations, God did not provide blood for the nations, only his chosen people Israel.

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. 15:6 If a man doesn't remain in me, he is thrown out as a branch, and is withered; and they gather them, throw them into the fire, and they are burned.

1 John 3:6 Whoever remains in him doesn't sin. Whoever sins hasn't seen him, neither knows him.

1 John 3:9 Whoever is born of God doesn't commit sin, because his seed remains in him; and he can't sin, because he is born of God.

Thus, the context; who is Paul speaking to here? Those of spiritual Israel, those born new by God in Holy Spirit, those that have been put to death in their old life, made new in Christ life. Hence, in Christ is the only place ones unrighteous acts can be dead, removed from God's wrath. They cannot be removed by self-acts of obeying a rule of law which had been proven beyond a doubt for thousand's of years of the law and blood upon Israel! (death the flesh cannot be made righteous that is free of sin by obeying a law, a rule or a religion.)

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

1Tim.1:9 as knowing this, that law is not made for a righteous man, but for the lawless and insubordinate, for the ungodly and sinners, for the unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for manslayers, 1:10 for the sexually immoral, for homosexuals, for slave-traders, for liars, for perjurers, and for any other thing contrary to the sound doctrine;

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. 7:20 But if what I don't desire, that I do, it is no more I that do it, but sin which dwells in me.

There is no condemnation in Christ if your members are dead in Christ upon earth (flesh). But if one should think as so many Christian's now do they can make their members dead by obeying a rule of law in the bible or a religious group they are not dead in Christ. Christ life makes us dead provided we stay in his righteous life, not our righteous life doing acts of obeying some rule of law.

Romans 3:20 Because by the works of the law, no flesh will be justified in his sight. For through the law comes the knowledge of sin.

Romans 4:4 Now to him who works, the reward is not counted as grace, but as debt.

Romans 4:15 For the law works wrath, for where there is no law, neither is there disobedience.

Please don't be confused, no human can put their flesh to death, it must be put to death by an act of God (the blood atonment). When we are dead in our flesh by God's judgment, that is, in Christ, Christ righteous he can live in us. What is a righteous life according to God throughout the bible? A sinless life, our life can only be made sinless at the cost of another life. In Israel case animal blood an innocent victim not under God's righteous moral laws. In Christian's case Christ blood, which was sinless not needing laws for those having sin. The issue at hand here is those thinking there is a self-righteousness that comes from obeying rules of laws, and not being made dead in Christ by his blood. This is Paul point of his writings in Colossians, the power of Christ in freeing us from our judgment of sinful flesh by the enthroning of Christ above stripping the power of death through our flesh, and giving us freedom not in our flesh, but in the spirit life of Christ which fills us with Christ righteousness before God having no judgment of our flesh dead and gone in Christ life.

Rom.8:3 For what the law couldn't do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God did, sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, he condemned sin in the flesh;
8:4 that the ordinance of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. 8:5 For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit.
8:6 For the mind of the flesh is death, but the mind of the Spirit is life and peace;
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. 8:8 Those who are in the flesh can't please God.
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.

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: 1:31 that, according as it is written, "He who boasts, let him boast in the Lord."{Jeremiah 9:24}

1 Corinthians 6:20 for you were bought with a price. Therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God's.

In that state, and only in that state can we put away the evils of our flesh state above. Paul is not stating we can by works of ourselves be made righteous, big mistake leading down a road of self-righteousness into a broad road of destruction that even those not having Christ can practice before a idol, a man, a religion, according to human merit and judgment, but it does not atone for sin! (without atonment by faith we are lawless a practicer of sin)

John.5:39 "You search the Scriptures, because you think that in them you have eternal life; and these are they which testify about me. 5:40 Yet you will not come to me, that you may have life.
5:41 I don't receive glory from men. 5:42 But I know you, that you don't have God's love in yourselves. 5:43 I have come in my Father's name, and you don't receive me. If another comes in his own name, you will receive him. 5:44 How can you believe, who receive glory from one another, and you don't seek the glory that comes from the only God?

Col.3:7 You also once walked in those, when you lived in them;
3:8 but now you also put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and shameful speaking out of your mouth. 3:9 Don't lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old man with his doings, 3:10 and have put on the new man, who is being renewed in knowledge after the image of his Creator.

Do you really comprehend what Paul means here by the old man? If one is new than they are not old, and if one is old than they are not new. Paul is not saying here lets think new, lets act like we are new, no! A person, a thing, or a place is either new, or its is not? What is the old man? The old man is a sinner, before being made new by what?

Haggai 2:12 'If someone carries holy meat in the fold of his garment, and with his fold touches bread, stew, wine, oil, or any food, will it become holy?'" The priests answered, "No."

Jeremiah 13:23 Can the Ethiopian change his skin, or the leopard his spots? then may you also do good, who are accustomed to do evil.

Proverbs 20:9 Who can say, "I have made my heart pure. I am clean and without sin?"

The personality of Christ and Christ righteousness, that is, Christ living in a person that has had their flesh under sin put to death by God being baptized into the Christ. But notice here, Paul not only states we must be new, but he gives us the character of the old person living under sin. He is not saying some people living under sin are better than others. He is not saying if you just make yourselves you can be new, no! He is stating the truth many of us really don't get, and what is that?

Matthew 23:25 "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you clean the outside of the cup and of the platter, but within they are full of extortion and unrighteousness.{TR reads "self-indulgence" instead of "unrighteousness"}

We must be made new, not that we are making ourselves new by applying the scriptures in our lives. The old, which is all old personalities born into sin from the least to the greatest practice the works of their flesh, the scriptures do not change our flesh, they change our minds, and we try to control our flesh with them, but in our hearts where Christ lives is found the evil an old heart has in it. Anger, wrath, malice, slander, and shameful speaking out of your mouth.

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.

But there is more, we speak such anger to those we call brothers and sisters why, because in the fleshly mind, under sin it judges sin of the flesh (flesh cannot know the Spirit), which makes our flesh angry when someone else flesh does not obey our judgments. Yes, Christian's don't get mad at each other unless they judge others by scriptures wrong, believing their brother or sister is disrespecting their counsel correct? Which they think to be God's anger, so its justified in their hearts by uses of scriptures.

James 1:16 Don't be deceived, my beloved brothers.
1:17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom can be no variation, nor turning shadow. 1:18 Of his own will he brought us forth by the word of truth, that we should be a kind of first fruits of his creatures. 1:19 So, then, my beloved brothers, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, and slow to anger;
1:20 for the anger of man doesn't produce the righteousness of God. 1:21 Therefore, putting away all filthiness and overflowing of wickedness, receive with humility the implanted word, which is able to save your souls{or, preserve your life.}. 1:22 But be doers of the word, and not only hearers, deluding your own selves.

So Does Paul here says for us to play with those thoughts, or put them all away? But how when some one disrespect God's word the bible and sins against us in their flesh? Good question? This is shocking so don't become offend in your flesh, the flesh of Christ brothers are dead in Christ, its not judged by Christ or God (being dead buried)! Its gone once for all time, we do not bring it back out of death in Christ and judge it again do we? No! We do not posses such power accept in false religion under works by law in an organization that presumptuously takes that power and thinks they are doing God's works upon earth.

1 Peter 3:21 This is a symbol of baptism, which now saves you--not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

James 1:22 But be doers of the word, and not only hearers, deluding your own selves. 1:23 For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man looking at his natural face in a mirror; 1:24 for he sees himself, and goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of man he was. 1:25 But he who looks into the perfect law of freedom, and continues, not being a hearer who forgets, but a doer of the work, this man will be blessed in what he does. 1:26 If anyone among you thinks himself to be religious while he doesn't bridle his tongue, but deceives his heart, this man's religion is worthless.

1Cor. 4:3 But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged by you, or by man's judgment. Yes, I don't judge my own self. 4:4 For I know nothing against myself. Yet I am not justified by this, but he who judges me is the Lord. 4:5 Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord comes, who will both bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and reveal the counsels of the hearts. Then each man will get his praise from God.

The flesh cannot separate the two thoughts, it only becomes offend when it can't judge causing it wrath, anger and lying, why lying? Because the flesh cannot stop sinning its simply impossible, nor can it stop judging that is its character. So it judges, and lies about what in in it own heart practicing the same sins or worst. Nothing good dwells in our flesh that does not lie, does not act like its righteous. What dwells good in our flesh according to God's word the bible, nothing! That is why God kills our flesh, in Christ, and gives us a new life. In the new life we can have the mind of Christ, and his sinlessness; being filled with his life making us sinless, yes! A “new creation” not an old creation, so brothers and sisters in Christ must separate the flesh from the spirit or they are judging what cannot be judged by the same old flesh which is equally sinful.

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. 7:20 But if what I don't desire, that I do, it is no more I that do it, but sin which dwells in me. 7:21 I find then the law, that, to me, while I desire to do good, evil is present.

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.

Now as Paul says let us put on Christ which life fills us with truth and Holy Spirit and produces; not act like, but produces the fruits of God found in Christ by Holy Spirit. This we will do if God indeed permits!

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.
6:4 For concerning those who were once enlightened and tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Spirit.

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. 5:24 Those who belong to Christ have crucified the flesh with its passions and lusts.

Romans 8:10 If Christ is in you, the body is dead because of sin, but the spirit is alive because of righteousness.

James 4:12 Only one is the lawgiver, who is able to save and to destroy. But who are you to judge another?

Col.3:11 where there can't be Greek and Jew, circumcision and uncircumcision, barbarian, Scythian, bondservant, freeman; but Christ is all, and in all.

There has never been known upon this earth such an arrangement of the body of Christ. One cannot, let me repeat, cannot stay within the body of Christ with the thoughts and practice of this world, the two minds are opposed to each other as light is to darkness. We cannot be in Christ thinking in terms of power and position, greate and smaller, better, worst, it just cannot exist within the body of Christ.

1 Corinthians 4:7 For who makes you different? And what do you have that you didn't receive? But if you did receive it, why do you boast as if you had not received it?

Those that change the rules thinking they have a right by some religious order are fundamentally mislead from the body and thinking of Christ the thoughts of his mind, which mind is the head of his temple body! Let us remember the fleshly mind we are born with is not the mind of Christ, we must be born again raised up into the Christ seated above and given a new mind that new mind is Christ mind not our old mind thoughts which no longer exist in Christ.

Rom.8:5 For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. 8:6 For the mind of the flesh is death, but the mind of the Spirit is life and peace;

It does not matter earthly status, earthly education, earthly wealth, or position by some job or ministry we might have, all that is earned has no merit or reward in Christ, why? Here than is the point the fleshly mind cannot conceived those in Christ have received life eternal and the reward for being in Christ which is Christ is the riches indwelling them making them new while upon this earth. They are not receiving honors and glory from the world, they are not making a name for a personal ministry in some group or staring one. They are not making a name boasting in many followers, no, and no!
They are in fact, and in truth servants to whom? Themselves, a church, or the body Christ where they have been placed into? Now if servants like a hand on your own body is but a hand with no brain or mind where indeed is the glory? Does a hand fight to put a ring on its own finger to boast about its material things, to boast in its position over other body members, how can the body exist with missing parts?

1 Corinthians 5:6 Your boasting is not good. Don't you know that a little yeast leavens the whole lump?

James 4:16 But now you glory in your boasting. All such boasting is evil.

Moreover, how can one member think they are so much more important than other members? Where does such thinking come from? Well, we have no doubt, Paul did not stutter did he? Paul under power of Holy Spirit spoke here to those thinking in their fleshly mind about what? What the fleshly mind thinks, and feeds upon and than produces - competition in being the best beating the other guy. Yes! Such unrighteous and unholy thinking is not in the body of Christ and never will be. It is from the source of lust of the flesh that longs for greatness and recognition than goes out a plants whole fields of weed building unrighteous foundation, religion, institution of power, control, building names upon earth calling itself the body of Christ.
Matt.18:1 In that hour the disciples came to Jesus, saying, "Who then is greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven?"
18:2 Jesus called a little child to himself, and set him in the midst of them, 18:3 and said, "Most certainly I tell you, unless you turn, and become as little children, you will in no way enter into the Kingdom of Heaven. 18:4 Whoever therefore humbles himself as this little child, the same is the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven.
18:5 Whoever receives one such little child in my name receives me, 18:6 but whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to stumble, it would be better for him that a huge millstone should be hung around his neck, and that he should be sunk in the depths of the sea.

Here than is the ultimate test for the flesh which is? If I do good for some one, its OK to put Christ name, and/or God's name upon it , labeling my good as coming from God. Now all the good intention in the world, all of our wonderful desires to help someone, and reform them into something old and new is not biblical did you know that?

Revelation 21:5 He who sits on the throne said, "Behold, I am making all things new." He said, "Write, for these words of God are faithful and true."

This was the reasoning the flesh was using at Paul's time, and it is the same justification still uses in our time. But did you note in your bibles that God never reforms this world, he never speak good of it, and its practices? Nor did he say he planted Christ to work through mankind problems by placing men in important position upon earth preparing this world for his incoming kingdom? Why do you think that is missing, and why do you think all these brothers and sisters in the Greek Scriptures had to be made new if the old was to be reformed, think about it?

2 Peter 3:13 But, according to his promise, we look for new heavens and a new earth, in which righteousness dwells.

Colossians 3:10 and have put on the new man, who is being renewed in knowledge after the image of his Creator.

Ephesians 4:24 and put on the new man, who in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of truth.

Galatians 6:15 For in Christ Jesus neither is circumcision anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creation.

Col.3:12 Put on therefore, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, a heart of compassion, kindness, lowliness, humility, and perseverance; 3:13 bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, if any man has a complaint against any; even as Christ forgave you, so you also do.

Here is a truth, we put on Christ, or we find ourselves in the clothing of our flesh and its thoughts. Each Christian's must stop and accept this truth, we must stop thinking we can put on ourselves, a mask of some religion, a new personality when we are with other Christian's. When the bible speaks of being in Christ we are than putting on the truth, which truth produces the fruit of Holy Spirit in us, that is, our spirit.

Romans 15:3 For even Christ didn't please himself. But, as it is written, "The reproaches of those who reproached you fell on me."{Psalm 69:9}

Romans 15:5 Now the God of patience and of encouragement grant you to be of the same mind one with another according to Christ Jesus.

Hence, it is in Christ, not ourselves by some religious study, or meeting at some building built with human hands that we are the “temple” of God, within that temple, we find the truth, we find the Father, and the son, we worship in Spirit and truth. Now once in Christ the temple of God we find a new personality, which becomes our personality why? Because Christ is the head of the congregation of his body, his personality, not our own personality acting like a Christian, but truth, what truth, Christ is the the truth so we have a real living personality given us by Christ, his!

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

1 Corinthians 3:23 and you are Christ's, and Christ is God's.

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.

1 Corinthians 8:12 Thus, sinning against the brothers, and wounding their conscience when it is weak, you sin against Christ.

1 Corinthians 6:19 Or don't you know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit which is in you, which you have from God? You are not your own,

But how did we get here, that is, in Christ? Did we climb a mountain? Did we go and join some religious group? Did we do something special for someone else so God rewarded us according to our good works? Perhaps, we have climb the religious ladder of serving in special position that a group rewarded us with being in Christ as an anointed person? Nope! None of these things from man, or his works in his flesh upon this earth. God, YHWH forgave us in Christ Jesus. It was by Christ Jesus good works on earth we have been forgiven, we have received an undeserved gift from God towards us in his love.

1 Corinthians 4:7 For who makes you different? And what do you have that you didn't receive? But if you did receive it, why do you boast as if you had not received it?

Now if we've entered “freely” by nothing we have done good or bad, but by what God has given us, we cannot be in Christ without forgiving each other in the same way? “Wait a minute, how can that work, I am just human?” Yes, we are, human, but we don't walk in our flesh, our flesh is dead in Christ, and we have who's personality? Christ personality that does forgive us and those that offend us. Do we suffer in giving up our rights to hold a debt? Yes the flesh does suffer and hates giving up that right, being wronged!

1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and righteous to forgive us the sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Luke 17:4 If he sins against you seven times in the day, and seven times returns, saying, 'I repent,' you shall forgive him."

But in that suffering we find a truth, what truth? We learn just how loving our heavenly Father is towards us in first being loyal in not taking back his forgiveness like we human do over the slightest infraction, we learn what undeserved kindness actually means? We learn the truth of Christ, and his real personality, and in our suffering we are tested, perfecting our complete trust in all that God is, and in what he does. Subsequently, to be released, actually made free, we must release everyone that sins against us.

Luke 4:18 "The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to heal the brokenhearted,{NU omits "to heal the brokenhearted"} to proclaim release to the captives, recovering of sight to the blind, to deliver those who are crushed.

Matthew 6:12 Forgive us our debts, as we also forgive our debtors.

Matthew 6:14 "For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.

Matthew 6:15 But if you don't forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

Col.3:14 Above all these things, walk in love, which is the bond of perfection. 3:15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful.
3:16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly; in all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your heart to the Lord.

Many Christian's see Paul's words here in an abstract way like someone one does as a job on earth, while attending a religious meetings, or putting on the airs of being a “Christian” when need be, but is that the meaning of Paul's words here?

2 Corinthians 4:2 But we have renounced the hidden things of shame, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by the manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God.

No! Christ is a living person with great power, and authority, but such authority and power Paul did not say we have received from the Might King Christ Jesus. What Paul said here is when we are richly filled with Christ life, not our own, and not an act of being religious, but filled with the life and power of Christ and his personality we walk in love! In other words, we received the life of the vine in us as a branch and produce the fruits of vines life, which identify us as his fruits.

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.

Many Christian's walk in a constant state of gaining knowledge being filled with the latest knowledge, feeling very inadequate without it, but love, not so much, peace well? Not so good either! You see, the identifying mark of Christ is love, but do you know why? To be in Christ, and filled with his life is the key to understanding God by the love of Christ. Peace of God comes from the love of God, who is love, peace cannot come without love. So in a world filled with knowledge as a god, and many searching for it as the identifying mark of Christ they become a clashing sound, like cymbals having nobody else they can harmonize with for preaching at you with some knowledge.

1Cor.13:1 If I speak with the languages of men and of angels, but don't have love, I have become sounding brass, or a clanging cymbal.
13:2 If I have the gift of prophecy, and know all mysteries and all knowledge; and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but don't have love, I am nothing. 13:3 If I dole out all my goods to feed the poor, and if I give my body to be burned, but don't have love, it profits me nothing.

The real truth cannot be lost, because it is found in love the personality of Christ and his Father YHWH. Truth has never been lost, because it exist forever in the God of love which love make him the truth. Hence, as mankind scrambles in their attempts to understand God, basicly for God to cover every bases of their lack of love for God and others by what the bible calls falsely called knowledge, false knowledge because without love one does not have the truth of the Spirit that gives wisdom and understanding to us. The world is not lacking in knowledge or know it all's, it lacks what must come from above love from the Spirit of the God of love!

1 John 4:12 No one has seen God at any time. If we love one another, God remains in us, and his love has been perfected in us.

1 John 4:16 We know and have believed the love which God has for us. God is love, and he who remains in love remains in God, and God remains in him.

The fundamental truth of God is he gives us his love, which compels us to love each other from his Spirit which gives us truth, so we can walk in love by being filled with the life of Christ. When we can do that we will have truth, and wisdom from our knowledge given us by God. We than have peace given us by God, without fear, because faith is trusting someone we love. Falsely called knowledge is for protection in making sure the legal contract with an invisible God has no loop holes so we don't get caught in a situation that cost us our eternal lives, but such is not God's love found in Christ.

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.

Col.13:4 Love is patient and is kind; love doesn't envy. Love doesn't brag, is not proud, 13:5 doesn't behave itself inappropriately, doesn't seek its own way, is not provoked, takes no account of evil;
13:6 doesn't rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth; 13:7 bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. 13:8 Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will be done away with. Where there are various languages, they will cease. Where there is knowledge, it will be done away with.

James 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.

John 13:35 By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another."

Col.3:17 Whatever you do, in word or in deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father, through him. 3:18 Wives, be in subjection to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord.

Who's body does a Christian belong to? Who is the provider and feeder of the our own body? How can a body member do anything without the head of the body? This is Paul point that when we do something as part of the body we belong to we represent our Lord and master Christ Jesus.

Ephesians 4:4 There is one body, and one Spirit, even as you also were called in one hope of your calling.

Ephesians 4:12 for the perfecting of the saints, to the work of serving, to the building up of the body of Christ.

In other words, we are not separate what we do and say represent him because we belong to him. Now Paul uses the same line of logic regarding a husband, and his wife, something very offensive in today so called enlighten societies. That when a woman acts independently of her head the man she brings reproach upon both of them. However, in every facet of life this truth of representing others from government, to commerce, and/or family is a reality we must all face daily, which is, our conduct matters if we are under some person authority.

Ephesians 5:23 For the husband is the head of the wife, and Christ also is the head of the assembly, being himself the savior of the body.

Paul uses the power of headship of Christ over man, and Christian's belong to him as body members. This is no causal arrangement where a person can do as they please. In other words, right down to what we plan must come from permission of our head. Where we live, where we work, who we marry, and certainly whom we associate with is all part of being in Christ Jesus.

James 4:13 Come now, you who say, "Today or tomorrow let's go into this city, and spend a year there, trade, and make a profit."
4:14 Whereas you don't know what your life will be like tomorrow. For what is your life? For you are a vapor, that appears for a little time, and then vanishes away. 4:15 For you ought to say, "If the Lord wills, we will both live, and do this or that." 4:16 But now you glory in your boasting. All such boasting is evil. 4:17 To him therefore who knows to do good, and doesn't do it, to him it is sin.

Hebrews 12:8 But if you are without discipline, of which all have been made partakers, then are you illegitimate, and not children.

If we cannot believe Christ loves us, and we haven't given our lives over to him, such a process is meaningless. We will be like the world whom are fiercely independent, defying any direction. Many find themselves under headship to an organization claiming to be the head of the congregation, which sight worship is much easier to submit to than an invisible headship. Most find that with the grapes comes the thorns and thistle, sweet and bitter picking. Many because of these arrangements which change from light into darkness cannot understand or appreciate Christ headship thinking they are alike, imputing evil to headship of Christ while in their hearts comparing sinful men religion to the pure unadulterated word of God, the Christ.

Matt. 7:15 "Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly are ravening wolves. 7:16 By their fruits you will know them. Do you gather grapes from thorns, or figs from thistles?

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.

Eph.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.

Let us remember a harlot is not in subjection to anyone, let alone some human, false religion is a harlot which is cruel, unkind, and certainly not loving without payment. So to will those whom submit to her lust find she will be paid some how in this life, in money, in devotion to a cause, her services are not free!

Proverbs 6:26 For a prostitute reduces you to a piece of bread. The adulteress hunts for your precious life.

Ezekiel 6:9 Those of you that escape shall remember me among the nations where they shall be carried captive, how that I have been broken with their lewd heart, which has departed from me, and with their eyes, which play the prostitute after their idols: and they shall loathe themselves in their own sight for the evils which they have committed in all their abominations.

Col.3:19 Husbands, love your wives, and don't be bitter against them.

Why do we get bitter, interesting choice of words Paul uses regarding husbands and wives? Bitterness really is a byproduct of not being appreciated. In other words, no matter what a person does it not enough, and/or good enough, it is expected, that is, demanded!

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.

Many men in today's world find themselves slaves to a wives whims because of the oppression of woman in the past - perfection is now expected of men. Entertainment has promoted the perfect man image for years, where he is expected at each turn a to meet a woman's needs and wants uncomplainingly.

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.

This unrealistic expectation brings with it bitterness, just as any person from children to adults cannot be treated without love and respect. but Paul in this context of his writing takes one to a higher place that of being in Christ having a new personality, not a slave to another person selfish needs, or unrealistic wants in this world. Paul takes them to what Christ is, what his personality does in us.

Ephesians 4:2 with all lowliness and humility, with patience, bearing with one another in love;

Colossians 3:12 Put on therefore, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, a heart of compassion, kindness, lowliness, humility, and perseverance;

Christ empty himself for us, from riches becoming poor to save us, both men and woman in Christ must to the same for each other if they are a Christian's in Christ. This conduct is noted by the children setting an example of truth and Spirit in pure worship which is everlasting. Men cannot become bitter, but neither can the woman in Christ. Neither can either of them become demanding of a mate if they are in Christ walking in love.

Colossians 3:14 Above all these things, walk in love, which is the bond of perfection.

1 Timothy 2:15 but she will be saved through her childbearing, if they continue in faith, love, and sanctification with sobriety.

Neither can their marriage become a competition trying to defeat the other in better works to put the others down. In other words, they cannot have a conduct with their mate differently than what Christ has with them in Spirit and truth because both belong to the same body. Neither can material things be the pursuit of their relationship and be in Christ Jesus.

1 Timothy 6:8 But having food and clothing, we will be content with that.

Hebrews 13:5 Be free from the love of money, content with such things as you have, for he has said, "I will in no way leave you, neither will I in any way forsake you."{Deuteronomy 31:6}

They are one with each other and are standing before our heavenly Father in Christ as one. In that relationship they will find the love of Christ filling their hearts and be at peace with each other. This is the standard of those married in Christ, those seeking the other interested in this life. Such is not the case in today's world, nor will it be, but its is the case of God's standards when we claim to be a Christian's, man or woman!

1 John 2:16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, isn't the Father's, but is the world's.

2 Corinthians 8:9 For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that you through his poverty might become rich.

When men or woman want their mate to be something other than a Christlike person, but instead pursuing the love of the world, going into debt, not being satisfied with God provides them their will be much tribulation in the flesh. Having a picture of what the world calls a politically correct man to measure him against instead of Christ, is contrary to the very Spirit that indwells him as belonging to Christ, nothing good will come from such fleshly thinking.

Rom.13:8 Owe no one anything, except to love one another; for he who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the law. 13:9 For the commandments, "You shall not commit adultery," "You shall not murder," "You shall not steal," "You shall not give false testimony," "You shall not covet,"{TR adds "You shall not give false testimony,"}{Exodus 20:13-15,17; Deuteronomy 5:17-19,21} and whatever other commandments there are, are all summed up in this saying, namely, "You shall love your neighbor as yourself."{Leviticus 19:18}

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

Col.3:20 Children, obey your parents in all things, for this pleases the Lord.

In a world of rebellion and entitlements obeying parents, that is, if there are two parents seems to be lost for most families. Society has been pushing for many years now for equality within the family arrangement and peer pressure is so great that each word must be carefully chosen or a person could lose their mate and their children.

Proverbs 30:12 There is a generation that is pure in their own eyes, yet are not washed from their filthiness.

Proverbs 28:2 In rebellion, a land has many rulers, but order is maintained by a man of understanding and knowledge.
But God did not create all things equal, but why if he is love? The first children to rebel was God's own spirit children which effect human's in he Garden of Eden, and it to was a push for equality with God, being on equal footing. However, since than, and now is written the history of the human race, where freedom is sought from authority comes greater oppression, greater wickedness the pattern has not changed. Equality in power, and position does not solve the sinful nature of mankind it only increase it, why?

Isaiah 1:23 Your princes are rebellious, and companions of thieves. Everyone loves bribes, and follows after rewards. They don't judge the fatherless, neither does the cause of the widow come to them.

Isaiah 65:2 I have spread out my hands all the day to a rebellious people, who walk in a way that is not good, after their own thoughts;

Hosea 14:9 Who is wise, that he may understand these things? Who is prudent, that he may know them? For the ways of Yahweh are right, and the righteous walk in them; But the rebellious stumble in them.

God's creation is a great teacher for thousand's of years parents have had a role it did not have to be educated into them by news media, or entertainment or some agenda, it happen for survival, it was the natural order of things, children were not smarter than parent if they wished to survive in hostile world, if they chose to eat and grow up having a trade. Parents could not be the best friend of a child or lean upon them because they got read of their mate for emotional support replacing their mate with a child, making the child dependent upon them because they could not keep mate because of their own rebellion.

Malachi 2:16 For I hate divorce," says Yahweh, the God of Israel, "and him who covers his garment with violence!" says Yahweh of Armies. "Therefore take heed to your spirit, that you don't deal treacherously.
Matthew 19:8 He said to them, "Moses, because of the hardness of your hearts, allowed you to divorce your wives, but from the beginning it has not been so.

Proverbs 10:1 The proverbs of Solomon. A wise son makes a glad father; but a foolish son brings grief to his mother.

Proverbs 10:5 He who gathers in summer is a wise son, but he who sleeps during the harvest is a son who causes shame.

Society has grown into entitlements where children can have most everything they want and parent are slaves to the needs of the children, this relationship was not known a hundred years ago at all! Children can disrespect parents because society itself disrespect parents and their decision, why? Because just as the bible predicted people have become lovers of pleasure instead of lovers of God. This has lead to entitlements if a person cannot have what they think the deserve they get read of and/or replace their mates. Let us remember less than a hundred years ago divorce was unheard of, and if it happen it was not spoken out loud and considered normal.

Proverbs 11:29 He who troubles his own house shall inherit the wind. The foolish shall be servant to the wise of heart.

Proverbs 14:1 Every wise woman builds her house, but the foolish one tears it down with her own hands.

Parents themselves have set the example of commitment and loyalty for the child by showing disrespect for each other. Subsequently, obeying any human in a family is considered evil in our enlighten society. Paul's words than have very little meaning to most people today. However, to God who cannot change like human from light into darkness he did not create all things equal, each person as a Christian's has a position before God. God created headship and without it, society and mankind corrupts into lawlessness, were disrespect is shown to anyone having authority.
Proverbs 15:12 A scoffer doesn't love to be reproved; he will not go to the wise.

Ecclesiastes 7:4 The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning; but the heart of fools is in the house of mirth.

Jeremiah 4:22 For my people are foolish, they don't know me; they are foolish children, and they have no understanding; they are wise to do evil, but to do good they have no knowledge.

If we plant evil, evil comes up, buts once it has become full bloom and people see the fruitage of their ways it is too late for that generation. So to we are now seeing and eating the fruitage of disobedience on every level of society. We find the highest divorce rate in the history of mankind, we find the greatest corruption top down in society the greatest amount of adult children living at home unwilling to give up life style of laziness, the greatest disrespect every shown to parents.

1 Corinthians 11:3 But I would have you know that the head of every man is Christ, and the head of the woman is the man, and the head of Christ is God.

2Tim.3:1 But know this, that in the last days, grievous times will come. 3:2 For men will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,
3:3 without natural affection, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, fierce, no lovers of good, 3:4 traitors, headstrong, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God; 3:5 holding a form of godliness, but having denied the power thereof. Turn away from these, also. 3:6 For of these are those who creep into houses, and take captive gullible women loaded down with sins, led away by various lusts, 3:7 always learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.

Titus.3:1 Remind them to be in subjection to rulers and to authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work,
3:2 to speak evil of no one, not to be contentious, to be gentle, showing all humility toward all men. 3:3 For we were also once foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving various lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another.
3:4 But when the kindness of God our Savior and his love toward mankind appeared.

Col.3:21 Fathers, don't provoke your children, so that they won't be discouraged.

There are Fathers of the flesh, and Fathers of the Spirit, fathers of the flesh provoke their children to anger toget results. Fathers of the Spirit provoke their children to love and the fruit of the Holy Spirit.

Hebrews 10:24 Let us consider how to provoke one another to love and good works.

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. 5:24 Those who belong to Christ have crucified the flesh with its passions and lusts.
5:25 If we live by the Spirit, let's also walk by the Spirit.
5:26 Let's not become conceited, provoking one another, and envying one another.

Men are particularly noted for provoking others toget results at work or in their businesses, such provoking does get results because that is the pattern of all flesh upon this earth. But here Paul speaks to those under another rule of law, the law of love, what is the law of love? It is the Royal Kingly law from our heaven Father YHWH who is love.

James 2:8 However, if you fulfill the royal law, according to the Scripture, "You shall love your neighbor as yourself,"{Leviticus 19:18} you do well.

1 Peter 2:9 But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God's own possession, that you may proclaim the excellence of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light:

1Cor. 13:1 If I speak with the languages of men and of angels, but don't have love, I have become sounding brass, or a clanging cymbal.
13:2 If I have the gift of prophecy, and know all mysteries and all knowledge; and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but don't have love, I am nothing. 13:3 If I dole out all my goods to feed the poor, and if I give my body to be burned, but don't have love, it profits me nothing.

These brothers and sisters were born new, from a new creation Christ Jesus by God's own love, they were no part of this world, and its practices of laws for sin, which means, laws created for punishing sins of the flesh. Law they themselves were freed from in the righteous life of Christ. Hence, Christ must indwell them, and if they wanted their children to know the Christ they must show the Christ and how he works in those born again. What is the key to being born again?

1 John 4:21 This commandment we have from him, that he who loves God should also love his brother.

1 John 4:16 We know and have believed the love which God has for us. God is love, and he who remains in love remains in God, and God remains in him.

It should be no secret, love! Fathers should now provoke their family to walk in love as Christ is working in them to do the same, without love they lose Christ, for it is the identifying mark of his personality.

1 John 4:12 No one has seen God at any time. If we love one another, God remains in us, and his love has been perfected in us.

When fathers put down the rules they should be out of love, and firmly applied, not arbitrarily out of anger, or because they don't want to deal with the problems. Our Father in heaven disciplines those he loves, he knows we are flesh and we hold in common all the problems of human race. But if a brothers is anointed he knows the kindness of God's love undeservedly as it is.

Titus. 3:1 Remind them to be in subjection to rulers and to authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work,
3:2 to speak evil of no one, not to be contentious, to be gentle, showing all humility toward all men. 3:3 For we were also once foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving various lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another.
3:4 But when the kindness of God our Savior and his love toward mankind appeared, 3:5 not by works of righteousness, which we did ourselves, but according to his mercy, he saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit,
3:6 whom he poured out on us richly, through Jesus Christ our Savior;

This grace, or undeserved kindness should move his heart to practice it to all mankind let alone his family. When a brother in Christ falls into ownership and control and discipline his children because he does not want to look bad, he provokes them and discourage them causing much resentment that will have to be dealt with for the rest of their lives. God discipline us from love, not because he is worried about his name or looking bad, God is not control by fear of loss or looking bad.

Heb.2:9 But we see him who has been made a little lower than the angels, Jesus, because of the suffering of death crowned with glory and honor, that by the grace of God he should taste of death for everyone. 2:10 For it became him, for whom are all things, and through whom are all things, in bringing many children to glory, to make the author of their salvation perfect through sufferings.
2:11 For both he who sanctifies and those who are sanctified are all from one, for which cause he is not ashamed to call them brothers{The word for "brothers" here and where context allows may also be correctly translated "brothers and sisters" or "siblings."},
2:12 saying, "I will declare your name to my brothers. In the midst of the congregation I will sing your praise."{Psalm 22:22}
2:13 Again, "I will put my trust in him."{Isaiah 8:17} Again, "Behold, here I am with the children whom God has given me."{Isaiah 8:18}

Love cannot fail, and nothing is truly righteous and good unless it is done in pure-worship, which comes from love. If God were worried about his looking bad Adam and Eve would have never been given freedom of choice, or allowed to sin. God would have constantly been on them provoking them to obey by harassment through order after order, and rule upon rule.

Ephesians 6:4 You fathers, don't provoke your children to wrath, but nurture them in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.

Hebrews 12:8 But if you are without discipline, of which all have been made partakers, then are you illegitimate, and not children.

James 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.

Col.3:22 Servants, obey in all things those who are your masters according to the flesh, not just when they are looking, as men pleasers, but in singleness of heart, fearing God.

We are all men pleasers just because we have religion and state we are not does no change the facts. This is the struggle of our fallen flesh, and in time if we come to be honest in this matter not fooling ourselves, we understand instead that we hold all things in common with humanity.

1 Corinthians 10:13 No temptation has taken you except what is common to man. God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted above what you are able, but will with the temptation also make the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.

It is our humanity that makes us a part of all that is good and evil in this world. It is doctrine, agendas, religion, education, politic, power, and wealth that lets us live a lie. Truth defined a fact, it does not fix the problem it points out something that is common to all mankind. These brothers and sisters were given a life, one that is perfect, sinless, from above called truth, Christ Jesus. Now they would struggle learning humility because of their commonality to all humanity in their fallen flesh. They would learn mercy, praying for others, because they would be faced with the power of sin in their members, the toxic strength of sin they hated to see in themselves, and in others.

James 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}

Paul is saying we know we are men pleasers, and we know that its is wrong, let us not get proud, but instead let us conqueror it in Christ knowing we hold in common what is a fault in our brothers. Let not get righteous in some truth, judging as though we are better, or more powerful than a weakness we hate seeing in others, and have blinded ourselves to in us!

Matt.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.

Coming up to something higher requires truth, descending into moral decay comes from living a lie. We can only live a lie when we think we are better than others by some rule of law, and not faith. We are the same, rules only defined what we fail in. God provides us truth, and Spirit to let us live in Christ, to help us up so we may pray for others as we would ourselves.

James 5:16 Confess your offenses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The insistent prayer of a righteous person is powerfully effective. 5:17 Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed earnestly that it might not rain, and it didn't rain on the earth for three years and six months. 5:18 He prayed again, and the sky gave rain, and the earth brought forth its fruit. 5:19 Brothers, if any among you wanders from the truth, and someone turns him back, 5:20 let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save a soul from death, and will cover a multitude of sins.

The prophet Daniel when praying to God, for the evils of his people put himself in common with those evils and sins of his brothers and sisters. The righteous Pharisee and a tax collector went up to the temple to pray, the tax collector was taken by his sins, the Pharisee was above his by his religion.

Luke 18:9 He spoke also this parable to certain people who were convinced of their own righteousness, and who despised all others. 18:10 "Two men went up into the temple to pray; one was a Pharisee, and the other was a tax collector. 18:11 The Pharisee stood and prayed to himself like this: 'God, I thank you, that I am not like the rest of men, extortioners, unrighteous, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. 18:12 I fast twice a week. I give tithes of all that I get.' 18:13 But the tax collector, standing far away, wouldn't even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, 'God, be merciful to me, a sinner!' 18:14 I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but he who humbles himself will be exalted."

We hold Christ in common all of us, we have been given a free gift, not of our making, or works, but we also hold in common the sins of humanity let us be compassionate for we are surround daily with life and death, the life of Christ, and the death through our flesh. Paul spoke to a problem common in all human, in all cultures, and in all seats of authority that of pleasing others in power. It is a sicken sin, and we should hate it, but than, we would have to hate our own flesh.

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.

First, we know God must root out this problem in humans, he is working on that right now, and has been for thousand's of years in his new creation subjected to what is common in all mankind. Where they stumble it will be to whiten, were they conquer it will be to God's glory and freedom for mankind. If we know, by Spirit what is common in all mankind, we will not be enslaved too them any longer, if we direct our worship to God, because we know what in Christ than we are solving the problems common to all mankind, by the truth.

1 Corinthians 3:9 For we are God's fellow workers. You are God's farming, God's building.

Rom.9:22 What if God, willing to show his wrath, and to make his power known, endured with much patience vessels of wrath made for destruction, 9:23 and that he might make known the riches of his glory on vessels of mercy, which he prepared beforehand for glory, 9:24 us, whom he also called, not from the Jews only, but also from the Gentiles?

Col.3:23 And whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord, and not for men, 3:24 knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ.

It hard to be honest with ourselves, but one cannot claim to be in the truth, that is, in Christ Jesus the truth, and please men! The point above by the apostle Paul is one of faith, not of sight, and to complicate this matter is the fact we all repeat words without really thinking about if were living up to them.

1 Corinthians 14:25 And thus the secrets of his heart are revealed. So he will fall down on his face and worship God, declaring that God is among you indeed.

The power of peer pressure and the demands of work most of us please the person we are working for more than living as through were working for our invisible head Christ Jesus. Repeating words Paul penned two thousand years ago because some religion told us to does not mean we are living in Christ, as the truth.

Ephesians 6:5 Servants, be obedient to those who according to the flesh are your masters, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as to Christ;

Ephesians 6:6 not in the way of service only when eyes are on you, as men pleasers; but as servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart.

Each of us should live daily as though we are in subjection to Christ working and doing all other activities in our lives as it would please him. The test is, the performance many Christian's have thought here in getting more work done proving they are better works than another religion or the world that's not the point.

Matt. 6:6 But you, when you pray, enter into your inner chamber, and having shut your door, pray to your Father who is in secret, and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.
6:7 In praying, don't use vain repetitions, as the Gentiles do; for they think that they will be heard for their much speaking.

The point is showing honor and respect to “all” in every situation, work being one of the them. Ninety percent of work really is about are attitude towards others. This should not have to be legislated for those in Christ. They should be known by a reasonable willing spirit to serve others, and put others interest before their own. This would be the truth, and the truth of Christ own personality indwelling them. What it is not, is an act, a person putting on a pretense acting like a Christian's to impress the boss and/or co-workers.

Matt.6:19 "Don't lay up treasures for yourselves on the earth, where moth and rust consume, and where thieves break through and steal;
6:20 but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust consume, and where thieves don't break through and steal; 6:21 for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

James 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.

Truth is not an act, it is the person who in every actions makes them the truth. Christ is indwelling us he is the truth, he does not act out for men, he is the living truth, and we walk in him, and he becomes our personality where we honor all men, its not an act of eye service.

Colossians 3:2 Set your mind on the things that are above, not on the things that are on the earth.

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.

James 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.

Col.3:25 But he who does wrong will receive again for the wrong that he has done, and there is no partiality.

All of us as humans are concern when people getting away with evil, and/or a wrong, because we are created with a real sense of fairness and justice, but here the apostle Paul states something perhaps we have not given much thought to? Which is, God justice is not partial!

Matthew 22:16 They sent their disciples to him, along with the Herodians, saying, "Teacher, we know that you are honest, and teach the way of God in truth, no matter who you teach, for you aren't partial to anyone.

No one including us will get away with any wrong we have done? Those eager for righting the wrong must know every wrong God must right because he is not partial like us humans, what are we to think - when even a wicked thought is evil to God? How can we say: “I am pure in my thoughts before the King?”

Levitius 19:15 "'You shall do no injustice in judgment: you shall not be partial to the poor, nor show favoritism to the great; but you shall judge your neighbor in righteousness.

Proverbs 20:9 Who can say, "I have made my heart pure. I am clean and without sin?"

Here than is why Christ told the Pharisee: “He that loved little forgive little!” Does God love little? No! But often we do. We want justice, and fairness, and can get into a real state of anger and discontentment when there is so much lawlessness about us that we lose our peace. The Pharisee spoken of above, where a woman, a known prostitute deserving of death by the law was skating, she was not being held accountable! Moreover, when not rebuked by Christ for touching him he becamed enraged!

James1:19 So, then, my beloved brothers, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, and slow to anger; 1:20 for the anger of man doesn't produce the righteousness of God.

Christ seemingly condone her evil conduct by allowing her to wash his feet? The Pharisee who was “clean” by the law, before others, was incensed! Here in chapter three of Colossians Paul under Holy Spirit had just spoken of the freedom of those in Christ. Their lives were loved much by God, simply because the gift of undeserved kindness had been given them freely, had they skated from God's judgment?

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.

That is the key question each of us faces, the point Christ made with the woman washing his feet to the Pharisee, and also in his parable of the rich man forgiving the massive debt of his slave than the same slave chocks his own slave for a little debt? What is the point if we love little we forgive little. In other words, if we don't gain love for what God has given us freely, and than demand justice be served upon others by uses of laws found in our bibles; we must remember God is not partial.

1 Peter 2:16 as free, and not using your freedom for a cloak of wickedness, but as bondservants of God.

1 Peter 3:21 This is a symbol of baptism, which now saves you--not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

The judgment deserved of our flesh is dead in Christ, we must truly comprehended what that means? Nothing in this worlds judgment by our flesh can really understand. Our deserved judgment has been set aside by the rich-man because we begged him to love us, instead of being judged by the justice of his law. It is love that covers a multitude of sins, it is God's own love that has set us free from deserved judgment, can we not suffer some when others do an injustice too us? Can we not pray for them, hoping good will come to them from God's love as it has come into our lives?

Matt.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.

If we see we have been forgiven much than we will love other much this is the lesson and hope God has for his children to become vessels of mercy. Justice will not lag, it will not be let go by such a perfect God who is fair and justice in all his ways, let us pray it will come with the kindness and mercy shown to us?

Matt.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.

Matt.18:22 Jesus said to him, "I don't tell you until seven times, but, until seventy times seven. 18:23 Therefore the Kingdom of Heaven is like a certain king, who wanted to reconcile accounts with his servants. 18:24 When he had begun to reconcile, one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents.{Ten thousand talents represents an extremely large sum of money, equivalent to about 60,000,000 denarii, where one denarius was typical of one day's wages for agricultural labor.} 18:25 But because he couldn't pay, his lord commanded him to be sold, with his wife, his children, and all that he had, and payment to be made. 18:26 The servant therefore fell down and kneeled before him, saying, 'Lord, have patience with me, and I will repay you all!' 18:27 The lord of that servant, being moved with compassion, released him, and forgave him the debt.
18:28 "But that servant went out, and found one of his fellow servants, who owed him one hundred denarii,{100 denarii was about one sixtieth of a talent.} and he grabbed him, and took him by the throat, saying, 'Pay me what you owe!' 18:29 "So his fellow servant fell down at his feet and begged him, saying, 'Have patience with me, and I will repay you!' 18:30 He would not, but went and cast him into prison, until he should pay back that which was due.
18:31 So when his fellow servants saw what was done, they were exceedingly sorry, and came and told to their lord all that was done. 18:32 Then his lord called him in, and said to him, 'You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt, because you begged me.
18:33 Shouldn't you also have had mercy on your fellow servant, even as I had mercy on you?' 18:34 His lord was angry, and delivered him to the tormentors, until he should pay all that was due to him. 18:35 So my heavenly Father will also do to you, if you don't each forgive your brother from your hearts for his misdeeds."

Completed on: May 13, 2015

by: Daniel a Slave of Christ Jesus