Ephesians– overview of 3:1-9; The Secret of the Ages, part 17 (Overcoming sin and suffering).

 

We are looking at repentance, the turning from the old way of the old man to the new way, the Christ-life of the new man.

 

We have noted many times that to repent one must surrender, submit, suffer, and die. The Son of God became a Man so that He could do what was impossible for us. Because He was able to submit, surrender, suffer, and die He was able to condemn sin to death and so kill what was in us that made it impossible for us to turn from sin and death.

 

Rom 8:3 For what the Law could not do, weak as it was through the flesh, God did: sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and as an offering for sin, He condemned [to death] sin in the flesh,

 

Rom 8:4 in order that the requirement of the Law might be fulfilled in us, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.

 

Though we can still be foolish and sin, the part of us that was hopeless to turn away from sin has been condemned to death, crucified. Sin is no longer our master. Now Christ is our Master. Being what we are in Christ, those who live, not by the flesh, but by the Holy Spirit, we are empowered to turn from sin and death and walk in the newness of Christ’s life.

 

There are many reasons why Christians do not do this and they have many self-justifying reasons for it, but we will not concern ourselves with them. A Christian is overpowered sin when he is foolish and is either ignorant of the word of God or lacks faith in the word of God which is the only source that tells them who they are in Christ.

 

We began this section in Rom 8 and we saw in Gal 5 that we belong to Christ and the Holy Spirit is our leader. This is true of all Christians.

 

People need reminding much more than they need instruction.

 

The Letter to the Galatians was to go to several areas in that province that had churches. The reason for the letter was that a false doctrine had permeated through their ranks – that salvation and life was only had through the Mosaic Law.

 

Imagine a world without Christianity and then imagine that same world with Christianity bursting upon it, overwhelming it in one generation.

 

When we consider that Christianity is the foundation of all Western Culture, we know its impact to be enormous, and that for the good of mankind. In that first generation, Satan had to do something fast and he found plenty of people willing to help him – these were the false teachers.

 

2Pe 2:1

But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will also be false teachers among you, who will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing swift destruction upon themselves.

 

Col 2:8

See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception, according to the tradition of men, according to the elementary principles of the world, rather than according to Christ.

 

1Jo 2:18-19

Children, it is the last hour; and just as you heard that antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have arisen; from this we know that it is the last hour. They went out from us, but they were not really of us; for if they had been of us, they would have remained with us; but they went out, in order that it might be shown that they all are not of us.

 

Gal 1:8 But even though we, or an angel from heaven, should preach to you a gospel contrary to that which we have preached to you, let him be accursed.

 

Gal 1:9 As we have said before, so I say again now, if any man is preaching to you a gospel contrary to that which you received, let him be accursed.

 

Gal 3:1 You foolish Galatians, who has bewitched you, before whose eyes Jesus Christ was publicly portrayed as crucified?

 

Gal 5:12 Would that those who are troubling you would even mutilate [apokoptō = to mutilate the privy parts (Strongs)] themselves.

 

The initial falsehoods are enlightening. They were Judaism and Gnosticism. In both systems diligence, dedication, and faith were required, but the facts concerning God the Father, Christ, the Holy Spirit, and their purpose were false.

 

It is important to note that the names Father, Christ, and Spirit were all used, but their characteristics, purposes, and works were put down falsely.

 

Religious words were also used, but their meanings were altered. There were goals and purposes, but not the right ones.

 

It is important to see this pattern of attack on Christianity in the beginning, for though their titles have changed, their pattern has not.

 

And so we understand the need to emphasize the truth of what Christ has done for us and to us…

 

Gal 5:16 But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh.

 

Gal 5:17 For the flesh sets its desire against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are in opposition to one another, so that you may not do the things that you please.

 

Gal 5:18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the Law.

 

Rom 8:9 says that we are “in the Spirit”.

 

Gal 5:19 Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: immorality, impurity, sensuality,

 

Gal 5:20 idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions,

 

Gal 5:21 envying, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you just as I have forewarned you that those who practice such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.

 

Gal 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,

 

Gal 5:23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.

 

Gal 5:24 Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.

 

Gal 5:25 If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit.

 

Since every Christian has been made alive by the Holy Spirit it is only fitting that we conduct our lives by the same Spirit.

 

Gal 5:26 Let us not become boastful, challenging one another, envying one another.