Category: Sanctification

2 Corinthians 6:1-18

1/2/2022

Teacher: Rusty Kennedy
Series: 2 Corinthians (Acts)

Rusty's Notes

Let’s get a running start and backup a few verses.

2 CORINTHIANS 5
17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has passed away, and see, the new has come!

A transformation has taken place.
Do you recognize it?
Do you turn back to your flesh for a season?

18 Everything is from God, who has reconciled us to himself through Christ and has given us the ministry of reconciliation. 19 That is, in Christ, God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and he has committed the message of reconciliation to us.
20 Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, since God is making his appeal through us. We plead on Christ’s behalf, “Be reconciled to God.” 21 He made the one who did not know sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. [1]

2 CORINTHIANS 6
1 Working together with him, we also appeal to you, “Don’t receive the grace of God in vain.”

Can you abuse grace? No
Can you misunderstand grace? Yes
I’m begging you… pleading with you.

2 For he says:
At an acceptable time, I listened to you,
and in the day of salvation I helped you.
See, now is the acceptable time; now is the day of salvation!

All over Corinth the believers were spread out in the region.
False teachers were numerous.
Sexual sin was active.
Paul’s followers have one foot in and one foot out.

THE CHARACTER OF PAUL’S MINISTRY
3 We are not giving anyone an occasion for offense, so that the ministry will not be blamed.

The purpose of this list that we find in this passage is they are marking his ministry as uniquely authentic because he is following along in the suffering of Christ.[2]

4 Instead, as God’s ministers, we commend ourselves in everything: by great endurance, by afflictions, by hardships, by difficulties,

You think ministry is stressful?
People ask me all the time, “What do you do with everyone’s ‘stuff’?” – It’s not my “stuff”.
Good people around me.
But I truly believe what I teach.

5 by beatings, by imprisonments, by riots, by labors, by sleepless nights, by times of hunger,

As Paul traveled around the Mediterranean area.

6 by purity, by knowledge, by patience, by kindness, by the Holy Spirit, by sincere love, 7 by the word of truth, by the power of God;

This is how we deal with all the “stuff”
We can have all kinds of support ministry and tactics to deal with issues… but this, my friends, is where it is at… the power of God.
Do not substitute programs, accountability and self-discipline for the power of God.

through weapons of righteousness for the right hand and the left, 8 through glory and dishonor, through slander and good report; regarded as deceivers, yet true; 9 as unknown, yet recognized; as dying, yet see—we live; as being disciplined, yet not killed; 10 as grieving, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet enriching many; as having nothing, yet possessing everything.

Compare this list of suffering by Paul and his disciples to today’s understanding of a “successful church”.
Today’s church only reports the good.
So Paul is saying that, really, the mark of authentic ministry are hardships.[3]
I’m OK with being labeled “the little church that meets in the bar”, “the place that harbors sinners”, “the place that only teaches grace”, “the place that has no ministry programs”.
Because I know the Truth and I know what I have in this little room and I am so thankful for you.

11 We have spoken openly to you, Corinthians; our heart has been opened wide. 12 We are not withholding our affection from you, but you are withholding yours from us.

Reciprocation was a huge understanding in the Corinth society.

13 I speak as to my children; as a proper response, open your heart to us.

Today, we want to do a quick survey.
Give away videos
Share stories in the room.

SEPARATION TO GOD
14 Do not be yoked together with those who do not believe. For what partnership is there between righteousness and lawlessness? Or what fellowship does light have with darkness? 15 What agreement does Christ have with Belial? Or what does a believer have in common with an unbeliever? 16 And what agreement does the temple of God have with idols?

Paul is pretty straightforward here.
This passage has always been interpreted as don’t marry an unbeliever.
It is in reference to intimate/close relationships.
Relationships that impact both parties.
I encourage relationships with unbelievers as long as the believer is having impact on the unbeliever.
I discourage relationships with unbelievers if the believer is being impacted by the unbeliever.

For we are the temple of the living God, as God said:
I will dwell
and walk among them,
and I will be their God,
and they will be my people.
17 Therefore, come out from among them
and be separate, says the Lord;
do not touch any unclean thing,
and I will welcome you.
18 And I will be a Father to you,
and you will be sons and daughters to me,
says the Lord Almighty.[4]

Paul uses several passages here from the Old Testament because God told the Israelites to remain clean and separated.
You have been made holy!
Holy – sanctified – set apart
We are not like the world… we are aliens.
We will be made fun of… we will be challenged… we will be called out.
But remember who you are in Christ.
You are the redeemed. You are the holy.
The Lord God dwells inside of you.
When you acknowledge your true identity… it causes you to desire different things than the world desires.
It causes you to be focused on Jesus rather than yourself or the world.

[1] Christian Standard Bible (2 Co 5:17–21). (2020). Holman Bible Publishers.
[2] Guthrie, G. H. (2018). NT337 Book Study: Paul’s Second Letter to the Corinthians. Lexham Press.
[3] Guthrie, G. H. (2018). NT337 Book Study: Paul’s Second Letter to the Corinthians. Lexham Press.
[4] Christian Standard Bible (2 Co 6). (2020). Holman Bible Publishers.

Gospels (71) - John 17:17-26

9/9/2018

Teacher: Rusty Kennedy
Series: Keith Tyner

Rusty's Notes

John 17
17 Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth.

Believers deal with sin differently – we are separated from non-believers.
1) “Sanctified” – God sanctifies our person (spirit & soul)
2) “Sanctifying” – God has given us the ability to overcome the power of sin.
3) “will be sanctified” – In the future, we won’t even have to deal with sin. Total sanctification in our behavior.
Who does the sanctifying? God or the Truth?
God sanctifies us with the tool of the Truth.
Psalm 119:9-11 - 9 How can a young man keep his way pure? By keeping your word.
I have sought you with all my heart; don’t let me wander from your commands.
I have treasured your word in my heart so that I may not sin against you.[1]
It is God who changes us… not the Truth.

18 As you sent me into the world, I also have sent them into the world.

He came to model living His life by another… and wanted the disciples to do the same for the world.
Surrendering your will to His.
Believing that Jesus is going to do this in me.
You consciously know that He is going to do it through you.
It is not a “feeling”
What does it mean living life by another?
When you get to the point of saying “I can’t do this anymore.”… you are in a great place.
Pressure is off.

19 I sanctify myself for them, so that they also may be sanctified by the truth.

He didn’t sanctify Himself for his own purpose
He yielded to the Father’s life because the disciple would see it.
John Bisagno as seminary student wrote 60 names of peers in ministry in the back of his Bible when he graduated from seminary.
As his peers burned out, failed or simply walked away from full-time ministry he would mark their name out of the back of his Bible.
When he retired in his 60’s… he had 6 names in the back of his Bible… 1 out of 10.
If you show up on Sundays, hang out with me or be my friend… you need me to live my life by another…
I love you… I am learning everyday what this means.

JESUS PRAYS FOR ALL BELIEVERS
20 “I pray not only for these, but also for those who believe in me through their word.

He is praying for ALL of us!

21 May they all be one,

Religion will never accomplish unity.
Our country is becoming more divisive by the minute… or tweet.
Unity finds its origin in God the Father…
They are the source of love… God is love.

as you, Father, are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us, so that the world may believe you sent me.

You have a Spirit, and you have a Spirit, and you have a Spirit… how many Spirits do you think are in this room? ONE

22 I have given them the glory you have given me, so that they may be one as we are one.

You can have all the bells and whistles of a huge organization but it will not prevail unless there is unity through the body of Christ.
If love is absent… it will fail
What is the glory of God?
The awesomeness of the character of God which is the expression of the presence of God and which only draws attention to the person of God.
Colossians 1:27 – 27 God wanted to make known among the Gentiles the glorious wealth of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.[2]
If that glory lives in me… I have access to that person. Just as you do.

23 I am in them and you are in me, so that they may be made completely one, that the world may know you have sent me and have loved them as you have loved me.

Jesus lives in me… and the Father in Jesus…
God loves me just as much as He does the Son.

24 “Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am, so that they will see my glory, which you have given me because you loved me before the world’s foundation.
- Two places at once… My citizenship is in heaven.
- 2 Corinthians 3:18 - 18 We all, with unveiled faces, are looking as in a mirror at the glory of the Lord and are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory; this is from the Lord who is the Spirit.[3]
- 2 Corinthians 3:14 - 14 but their minds were hardened. For to this day, at the reading of the old covenant, the same veil remains; it is not lifted, because it is set aside only in Christ.[4]
- What is being transformed? Our behavior
- Making us into more spiritually mature humans.
- Are we more holy? No… just in our behavior.
25 Righteous Father, the world has not known you. However, I have known you, and they have known that you sent me.
- The whole world knew the Father sent the Son because of the unity in the Church that is displayed.
26 I made your name known to them and will continue to make it known, so that the love you have loved me with may be in them and I may be in them.”[5]

They know some now but not as much as they will after Acts 2 – the Spirit coming.
How confusing would this be for them?
Jesus would be in them.

[1] Christian Standard Bible. (2017). (Ps 119:9–11). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.
[2] Christian Standard Bible. (2017). (Col 1:27). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.
[3] Christian Standard Bible. (2017). (2 Co 3:18). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.
[4] Christian Standard Bible. (2017). (2 Co 3:14). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.
[5] Christian Standard Bible. (2017). (Jn 17:1–26). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.

Gospels (70) - John 17:17

9/2/2018

Teacher: Rusty Kennedy
Series: Gospels

Rusty's Notes

John 17
17 Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth.

Sanctify – to be made holy – set apart.
Who sanctifies you? The Father.
What does the Father use to sanctify you? Truth
Truth is the tool used by the Father to sanctify us.
FALSE - The more truth you know the more holy you become.
FALSE - The better you behave, the more holy you become.
Your person cannot be improved upon the moment they believe.
My person (soul/spirit) is sanctified.
Acts 26:17-18 - 17 I will rescue you from your people and from the Gentiles. I am sending you to them 18 to open their eyes so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a share among those who are sanctified by faith in me.’[1]
1 Corinthians 6:11 - 11 And some of you used to be like this. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God. [2]
Hebrews 2:11 - 11 For the one who sanctifies and those who are sanctified all have one Father.[3]
Who sanctifies? The One
Is there anything you can do to sanctify yourself (more)?
Hebrews 10:10 - 10 By this will, we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all time.[4]
How complete are you?

My behavior is being sanctified.
1 Thessalonians 4:3-5 - 3 For this is God’s will, your sanctification: that you keep away from sexual immorality, 4 that each of you knows how to control his own body in holiness and honor, 5 not with lustful passions, like the Gentiles, who don’t know God.[5]
If when I received salvation and I was made holy, blameless and righteous… sanctified, what happens to my sinful patterns that still continue?
How do you change your behavior?
How many of you have been completely successful in perfecting your behavior?
What percentage of your behavior has already been perfected?

Video: Francisca has had many pups… every one of them is born hungry.

Hebrews 2:11 - 11 For the one who sanctifies and those who are sanctified all have one Father.[6]
“are sanctified” – NASB note says “or are being sanctified”
1 Corinthians 1:18 - For the word of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.[7]
We were saved from the penalty of sin.
We are being saved from the power of sin.
We will be saved from the presence of sin.
Again… who is doing the sanctifying?
2 Corinthians 3:18 - But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as from the Lord, the Spirit.[8]
What’s being transformed? The person or the behavior? Behavior
Who does the transforming? From the Lord, the Spirit
I set myself in the environment to look at God.
Look… I’ve been doing this a long time.
I deal with people who have addictions and strong sinful behavior patterns.
We’ve spent thousands of dollars trying to clean, trying to change, trying to erase believer’s behaviors.
It works… well... some of the times… well… for a season…
You want to know what a defining factor is in changing one’s behavior? Changing your environment.
What are you looking at in the mirror? Your past that has gotten you in the same place over and over or are you looking at the image of God?
Are you hanging around the same people that eventually cause you to end up with the same result time after time?
Or are you hanging around people that are going to impact you and cause you to focus on the image of the Spirit of God?
This sounds bad… but I have done this long enough… people ask me if I take attendance… no, I take role… I wanna see who has not been around us for a season.
I’m not saying coming to church makes you have better behavior… I’m saying your absence is a red flag and I’m not sure what is going on in your personal life but you may be focused on “other things”. RED FLAG!
Your absence could be a sign that things have or are derailing in your life because your focus has shifted.
So if you want to see your behavior change from bad to good… you better start looking in a different place.
Look for people who are going to encourage you in your walk.
Look to the Word of God for answers.
Focus on things above.
You will begin to reflect on what you are focused.
1 Thessalonians 4:3-4 - For this is the will of God, your sanctification; that is, that you abstain from sexual immorality; 4 that each of you know how to possess his own vessel in sanctification and honor[9]
1 Thessalonians 5:23 - Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you entirely; and may your spirit and soul and body be preserved complete, without blame at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.[10]
Who does the sanctifying?
Who does the changing of behavior?
2 Timothy 2:21 - Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from these things, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified, useful to the Master, prepared for every good work.[11]
This sounds like we are responsible for changing our behavior.
Paul is “assuming” that Timothy is doing this by the source of another.
Hebrews 10:14 - For by one offering He has perfected for all time those who are sanctified.[12]
What can you do to make yourself more perfect?
“Well… I’m not perfect.” – Oh yes you are!

My behavior will be sanctified. (in heaven)
1 John 3:2-3 - 2 Dear friends, we are God’s children now, and what we will be has not yet been revealed. We know that when he appears, we will be like him because we will see him as he is. 3 And everyone who has this hope in him purifies himself just as he is pure.[13]
I’m as righteous as Jesus is righteous because of what He did.

In heaven, we are void of this body which houses the power of sin.

[1] Christian Standard Bible. (2017). (Ac 26:17–18). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.
[2] Christian Standard Bible. (2017). (1 Co 6:11). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.
[3] Christian Standard Bible. (2017). (Heb 2:11). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.
[4] Christian Standard Bible. (2017). (Heb 10:10). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.
[5] Christian Standard Bible. (2017). (1 Th 4:3–5). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.
[6] Christian Standard Bible. (2017). (Heb 2:11). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.
[7] New American Standard Bible: 1995 update. (1995). (1 Co 1:18). La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation.
[8] New American Standard Bible: 1995 update. (1995). (2 Co 3:18). La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation.
[9] New American Standard Bible: 1995 update. (1995). (1 Th 4:3–4). La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation.
[10] New American Standard Bible: 1995 update. (1995). (1 Th 5:23). La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation.
[11] New American Standard Bible: 1995 update. (1995). (2 Ti 2:21). La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation.
[12] New American Standard Bible: 1995 update. (1995). (Heb 10:14). La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation.
[13] Christian Standard Bible. (2017). (1 Jn 3:1–3). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.

Gospels (69) - John 17:1-17

8/26/2018

Teacher: Rusty Kennedy
Series: Gospels

Rusty's Notes

Jesus has done everything He could in teaching His disciples.
Now, all He can do is pray for them.

JESUS PRAYS FOR HIMSELF
John 17
1 Jesus spoke these things, looked up to heaven, and said: “Father, the hour has come. Glorify your Son so that the Son may glorify you,
- So Jesus could glorify the Father.
2 since you gave him authority over all flesh (people),

God gave Jesus the ability to do miracles and continually escape the Pharisees in order for people to see that He truly is the Messiah.

so that he may give eternal life to everyone you have given him.

Jesus gave us eternal life but it originated through the Father.

3 This is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God, and the one you have sent—Jesus Christ.

The essence of eternal life is the ability to know intimately the heart of God the Father and God the Son.

4 I have glorified you on the earth by completing the work you gave me to do.

He glorified the Father by allowing the Father to work through Him.
Every word that Jesus spoke was the Father’s word.
Jesus knows even the hours to come are going to happen that He refers to them in past tense.
The crucifixion, resurrection and ascension are included in these works.

5 Now, Father, glorify me in your presence with that glory I had with you before the world existed.

Colossians 1:15 - He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation.[1]
Philippians 2:6-7 - who, existing in the form of God, did not consider equality with God as something to be exploited.
Instead he emptied himself by assuming the form of a servant, taking on the likeness of humanity. And when he had come as a man, [2]
Jesus Christ possessed the Glory of God from eternity past.
This Glory that Jesus has always had was witnessed at the Mount of Transfiguration and will be witnessed again at the resurrection.
Otherwise, the rest of Jesus’ earthly presence, the Glory that is His has been veiled.

JESUS PRAYS FOR HIS DISCIPLES
6 “I have revealed your name to the people you gave me from the world. They were yours, you gave them to me, and they have kept your word.

Jesus has revealed Himself to the disciples.
Jesus defends the disciples even though the chapter before he tells them they are going to scatter when Jesus is arrested.
Jesus sees what they are going to do through the Spirit before it happens.

7 Now they know that everything you have given me is from you, 8 because I have given them the words you gave me. They have received them and have known for certain that I came from you. They have believed that you sent me.

It’s like when a pastor just preaches a message and then closes the message by repeating the message and pleading with the audience to do as he taught them.
Even though the disciples didn’t know (at that time), Jesus knew that they were going to know once the Spirit came.
So pray as if you know what is to come.

9 “I pray for them. I am not praying for the world but for those you have given me, because they are yours.

This verse destroys any universalist theology.
When were they given to Jesus?
The moment they believed they became “in Christ”.
Once you are “in Christ” you are there from eternity past to eternity future.

10 Everything I have is yours, and everything you have is mine, and I am glorified in them.

Everything that belongs to the Father belong to the Son.
Psalm 24:1-2 - The earth and everything in it, the world and its inhabitants, belong to the Lord;
2 for he laid its foundation on the seas and established it on the rivers.[3]
“Them” – the disciples
“glorified” – past tense… it already happened… even though they were going to scatter and didn’t understand what He was truly saying.
Jesus saw their future and spoke about them because of their future.
This totally opposite of our society, you make one mistake or even say the wrong word then you are cast aside.

11 I am no longer in the world (The crucifixion, resurrection & ascension is so for sure that Jesus speaks about it in past tense), but they are in the world (unredeemed world that is controlled by Satan), and I am coming to you. Holy Father, protect them by your name that you have given me (they are equal in character – same name), so that they may be one as we are one.

How did Jesus keep the disciples in the Father’s name?
Because He taught them about the Father.
He didn’t give them 3 points and illustrations.
He didn’t give them “responsibility”
He didn’t give them Law.
He taught them about His Father.
If they know the Father’s Name… they would take on the Father’s character.
If they take on the Father’s character then they become united.
We try to create unity for the sake of unity rather than just knowing the Father.
My friend Dale from Camp Zion drove 8 hours to hang out with our group for 3 hours because he saw something different in our group of people.

12 While I was with them, I was protecting them by your name that you have given me. I guarded them and not one of them is lost, except the son of destruction, so that the Scripture may be fulfilled.

Jesus was not surprised by Judas leaving the 12.
He called it back in John 13

13 Now I am coming to you, and I speak these things in the world so that they may have my joy completed in them.

Jesus taught them things they could not understand.
But He knew that one day it would be revealed to them.
This gives me, as a teacher, much hope.

14 I have given them your word. The world hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world.

If the Holy Spirit reveals these things to you, you will not respond as the world responds.
You will not set people aside.
You will be considered “weird”, “a harborer of sinners”, “a sloppy thinker”, “a teacher/follower of a twisted Gospel.” (irony in that).

15 I am not praying that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one.

All these disciples were martyred.
He is asking that they never falter in what they believe or teach.
Suffering will occur… but keep them faithful.

16 They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world.

Separated from the world – sanctified – holy – set apart.

17 Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth.

Who sanctifies you? The Father.
What does the Father use to sanctify you? Truth
My person (soul/spirit) is sanctified.

[1] Christian Standard Bible. (2017). (Col 1:15). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.
[2] Christian Standard Bible. (2017). (Php 2:6–7). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.
[3] Christian Standard Bible. (2017). (Ps 24:1–2). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.

Words Defined - Part 2

3/5/2017

Teacher: Rusty Kennedy
Series: Words Defined

Rusty's Notes

Grace
- simple elegance or refinement of movement.
- (in Christian belief) the free and unmerited favor of God, as manifested in the salvation of sinners and the bestowal of blessings.
- a divinely given talent or blessing.
- the condition or fact of being favored by someone.
- a period officially allowed for payment of a sum due or for compliance with a law or condition, especially an extended period granted as a special favor.
- a short prayer of thanks said before or after a meal.
- used as forms of description or address for a duke, duchess, or archbishop.
- "His Grace, the Duke of …"
- verb: grace; do honor or credit to (someone or something) by one's presence.
Exchanged Life
- The term "Exchanged Life" is taken from the well-known passage in Isaiah 40:31. English translations refer to those who wait on or hope in the Lord as being able to "renew" their strength. All commentaries and study Bibles that deal with this verse note that the literal translation of the Hebrew word for "renew" is "exchange." Those who wait on the Lord will exchange their strength for His strength, as stated in verses 25-30.
- The term "Exchanged Life" is directly related to the believer's discovery of a new identity in Christ. The believer is a new creation; one born of God. What was once true is no longer true. J. Hudson Taylor made the English term "Exchanged Life" popular through his testimony of how God made him a new man. (From the book, Hudson Taylor's Spiritual Secret, chapter 14.)
- To elaborate further, we believe that the believer partakes of eternal life (Christ's Life) at the time of new birth, that identification with Christ in His crucifixion, burial, resurrection, and ascension brought the death of the "old man" and the life of the "new man." This may become a revealed experiential reality through a decision to lose one's life (total surrender) and to appropriate the Christ life by faith, and is continuously revealed by abiding in the Spirit and pursuing holiness. Victorious living is Christ living His life through the believer by the believer's faith and obedience under the Holy Spirit. This does not teach passivity, sinless perfection, or the deification of man.
Redeemed
- 1. Do something that compensates for poor past performance or behavior.
- (of a person) atone or make amends for (error or evil).
- save (someone) from sin, error, or evil.
- 2. Gain or regain possession of (something) in exchange for payment.
- Exchange (a coupon, voucher, or trading stamp) for merchandise, a discount, or money.
- Pay the necessary money to clear (a debt).
Die to self
- Not scriptural… Take up your cross daily (Luke 9:23)
- Romans 6:6 – Old self has died
Justification
- to declare innocent or guiltless; absolve; acquit.
- Just as if I have never sinned.
Sanctification
- to make holy; set apart as sacred; consecrate.
- to purify or free from sin:
- 1 Thessalonians 5:23 – May God of peace sanctify you completely.
Spirit - the activating or essential principle influencing a person; a person having a character or disposition of a specified nature: a supernatural being that indwells our physical organisms.
Soul
- Mind, will & emotions - Personality
Glory
- Colossians 1:27 - 27 God wanted to make known among the Gentiles the glorious wealth of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. [1]
Holiness
Saint
Christian
Back slidden
- To revert to bad habits or laps in religious practice.
- To slip from a higher or better condition to a former, usually lower or poorer one.
Power of Sin
Flesh - Sin Nature
- Flesh... No longer "sinful nature"

Most readers of the NIV(84) Version would never even pick up on the fact that there was an asterisk next to the words "sinful nature" found especially in Romans 7 & 8. If they follow the asterisk to the bottom of the page they will notice that the NIV(84) (and actually the NLT) changed the original intent of the word from "flesh" to "sinful nature". In the new NIV(2010) version, they have changed it back to "flesh". Andrew Farley discusses this issue in his book, "The Naked Gospel". He was also influential with Zondervan in this recent change back to "flesh". Is the change from "flesh" to "sinful nature" a big deal? ABSOLUTELY IT IS!!! Throughout the Scripture (post cross), it is apparent that the evil one is still active and the power of sin works through our "flesh", our earth suit that is temporary and that will go back to dust. We are constantly pounded with corrupt thoughts and struggle with where these thoughts originated. If I know that I am a redeemed, holy, forgiven saint that has the same Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead living inside of me… how can I possibly have these evil thoughts? (oh man…. And some of mine are doozies!) Paul confirms that it is no longer his own nature that is originating these thoughts. It is the sin and it’s incredible power that the evil one uses to tempt us and cause us to feel terrible about ourselves. We can “feel” terrible just by having horrible thoughts… that we didn’t or couldn’t even have generated. Imagine if you walked around as a believer thinking that you are corrupt just because of your thoughts! That is the case for the majority of believers. The most sold version of the Bible for the last 30 years (that is an assumption), has been telling us that it is our “sinful nature”. It’s not possible! My “sinful nature” was crucified with Christ. Something in me had to die when I died with Christ on the cross (Galatians 2:20). What was it? It was my natural bent to sin. It was that natural bent before I received salvation that established bad habit patterns in my flesh (also my behavior). Now, as I walk with the Spirit, I am being sanctified in my flesh (behavior) and living a victorious life… even though I still sin on occasion. My identity is not as a “sinner” but as a “saint in Jesus Christ”. If I can resolve the Truth that Paul, Peter, John, etc. teach about… Then I can walk victoriously as a believer knowing that the corrupt thoughts were not generated by my nature but it is something I have to deal with as I walk in my earthly flesh. It is only temporary. It is this understanding that is the basis for overcoming the evil one (I John 2:13). Jesus came that we might have abundant life... today!!! Not just when our flesh dies here on earth.

Walk by the Spirit
Pride/Proud
Forgive-Confess-Repent

[1] The Holy Bible: Holman Christian standard version. (2009). (Col 1:27). Nashville: Holman Bible Publishers.

2 Corinthians 6:1-18

Rusty's Notes

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Gospels (70) - John 17:17

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Gospels (69) - John 17:1-17

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Words Defined - Part 2

Rusty's Notes

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