The Spirit of Sonship— Part 3

Beloved of God, Grace is undeserved, unearned, unmerited favour. For context, God is telling us that man cannot and can NEVER stand or become godly (be like God) by himself through obeying the law. In fact, to attempt to do so is to follow the same doctrine of death which Satan sold to Eve in Eden aka dependence on human effort (the arm of flesh) for the development of godly traits (be like God) through keeping the law (letter) which kills and IS the knowledge of good and evil, just like the tree of the same name. 

See the forbidden fruit as a typology for the law which many churchgoers are trying to obey in order to be godly (develop godly traits or “be like God”) in Romans 7:8-12 (MSG)—

8-12 "Don’t you remember how it was? I do, perfectly well. The law code started out as an excellent piece of work. What happened, though, was that sin found a way to pervert the command into a temptation, making a piece of “forbidden fruit” out of it. The law code, instead of being used to guide me, was used to seduce me."

Satan is still seducing churchgoers through his pulpit-manning agents— deceiving many into thinking that they can be godly by human effort at keeping the law. It seemed good to Eve, just as it seems good to many in the church today. But it is simply the way which Proverbs 14:12 speaks of—

“There is a way that seems right to a man, But its end is the way of death.”

Every system of morality is about man trying to be good or to reach God with his discipline and good works, but in Christianity, God came down to where we were to lift us up to where He is. 

Because He so loved us, He sent His own Son to become our "Forever Standing." Beware of anyone who calls himself "pastor" but preaches the doctrine of Satan:  that you can walk up rightly or be godly (be like God) by your own smarts, willpower and self-discipline. Here’s what God's word says about that non-existent good in man and that useless willpower which some preachers push churchgoers to depend on for obeying the law in their quest to live godly lives (be like God) as was Peter's experience with his denials and Paul's too in Romans 7:18-

“For I know that nothing good lives within the flesh of my fallen humanity. The longings to do what is right are within me, but will-power is not enough to accomplish it."

God's word says human effort (the arm of flesh) will fail, is powerless and cannot. Christ says “There is none good but God.” But Satan appeals to Pride in the arm of flesh (human effort at obedience) that will fail at being godly aka “be like God”, causing man’s thoughts to “exalt itself against the knowledge of God” with reasoning such as:

"No, I can. God must be wrong. I still have some good in me. I can keep the law and resist temptation to commit sin by my willpower. I can and I must do works to be godly or (as it was with Judas) do some kind of restitution to prove to God that I am truly sorry for my sins. Others should too. Those that don't are just plain lazy.”

Isaiah 64:6 shows us how God sees those works of righteousness like 70 days fasts and human obedience which man so highly esteems and feels that God should appreciate and bless him for:

"We are all like one who is unclean, all our so-called righteous acts are like a menstrual rag in Your sight."

Beloved, watch what you are hearing in your local church. Just imagine what would have happened had the Father in the Parable of the Prodigal Son been away when the rebellious son returned and he had to deal with his older brother instead. He would have been met with anger and rejection. Worse, he would believe that his absent Father felt the same anger towards him because of his sinful ways and that he needed to slave his way back up into the father's good graces. But see our Abba Father's love for us in His response of love towards the prodigal son.

Beware of self-righteous and angry preachers who preach the “older brother” message, portraying our loving Abba Father in Christ as an angry and hard Taskmaster whose desire is to whack you for the sins that you struggle with, make you cry for your dinner and let the devil have a go at you because of the sins that you are trying so hard to give up, as if even they could save themselves from their sins. Matthew 1:21 says of His own beloved Son whom He sent to die for us:

"And she will have a Son, and you are to name Him Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.”

This is Grace- undeserved, unearned, unmerited favour. Even our right living/living in triumph over sin and death is a gift of God’s Grace. Beloved, God’s Grace is a Person. His name is Jesus Christ. Titus 2:11 says of Him:

"God’s marvelous grace has manifested in person, bringing salvation for everyone."

Verse 14 of the same Titus 2 says: 

“He gave His life to free us from every kind of sin, to cleanse us, and to make us His very own people, totally committed to doing GOOD DEEDS."

Lack, depression, stupid mistakes with drastic consequences, demonic oppression- all earthly ills are “death begun.” Being in Christ without living in triumph over sin and death AND doing good deeds is more impossible than jumping into the sea naked without getting wet. Godly living is the “wet.” Good works are the “wet.” The gifts and fruit of the Spirit are the “wet.” The practical application of wisdom and discernment in our health, family, career and in every other facet of life is the “wet.” All of these things are added unto us because Christ is our Righteousness and Strength.

Continues in final part 4