There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. Romans 8:1
If you have a good reason for doing something, the zeal and the determination to pursue it to a logical conclusion comes. Adrenalin needs to be stimulated for us to overcome obstacles. The above quote should do it for us – that our earthly nature can NEVER please God; therefore, cannot enter heaven. It is Satanic, because those who live in Satan’s world pick up his lifestyle – the values that are anti-God.
“The scripture says in Psalm 58:3, “The wicked are estranged from the womb: they go astray as soon as they be born, speaking lies.”
This is mind blowing. How can a child newly born speak lies? Surely it is not possible. So, he must be talking about something spiritual. He was saying man is born into Satan’s domain where only the evil sway. Paul writing in the New Testament agrees with this saying, “And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others” . (Eph.2:1-3).
How can you grow up with all the things you have learnt from the Devil and want to be a servant of the Lord? All manner of negative characteristics: fighting, abuses, lies, etc; these things need to be washed off and new characters picked up from the word of God.
1John 5:19 says, “And we know that we are of God, and the whole world lieth in wickedness.” Know that you are born into a very bad world and you picked up very bad traits and as a result, you need character reformation to be able to cleanse yourself of those traits which are not needed in this new world which you now belong to.
According to Paul in Philippians 3:17 “Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample. Philippians 3:17, NASB: Brothers and sisters, join in following my example, and observe those who walk according to the pattern you have in us. We are to mark – make a significant difference between himself and some people described as the ones who served their bellies; who think only of earthly things: 2 things to Note: Conversation and Living in Anticipation of the coming of Christ. This is the meaning of conversation.
Thayer Definition
“the constitution of a commonwealth, form of government and the laws by which it is administered:
How to be a citizen”
To live in anticipation of the coming of Christ is to consciously live to shun the world (James 4:4; 1John 3:1-3; 1John 2:15-17 & Titus 2:11-14).
You can’t continue like that, else, you’ll be like the mixed multitude who left Egypt with their culture and never agreed with God as He led them in the wilderness. They were always the ones remembering cucumber, garlic – our modern seductive dresses, anger, malice etc. But we can’t bring carnality into the city of God, it is unacceptable:
“For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. So, then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.” (Rom. 8:5-8).
It was the same with Moses. Pharaoh did not confront Moses’s ability, cleverness, wisdom, or military knowledge, Pharaoh confronted God (thus saith the Lord). So, God is not going to face the world and Satan with man’s wisdom: what you have learnt in the University, or with what your fathers taught you, especially if it is tradition or worldly wisdom. God took away everything that Moses had and put only ‘thus saith the Lord’ in his life. How much of the knowledge of the word of God do you have? You won’t go far on this journey to the city of God without “Thus saith the Lord”. Joshua was told by God to mediate daily on the word of God, as he journeyed to the promised land; to make his way prosperous. (Joshua 1:8).
Those who serve the Lord must not bring in what they have, rather, their character must be suitable for the Lord’s use.
This is possible only after you have gone through the process of refinement – character upgrade like Abraham and Moses.
Now you see why Jesus had to start His ministry with the presentation of the Beatitudes – His code of conduct, and why it amazed those who heard Him. It was a life-style totally different to the Satan inspired code of conduct they had been used to. Imagine someone coming to tell you that if someone slaps you, you should turn the other cheek for him to slap, again. Or if someone wants your coat, give him two? Nobody without grace could do it, more so as the Law even said, “…an eye for an eye.” A babe in the Lord won’t also do it, that’s why he’s advised to grow into maturity – the “PERFECT in “Be ye perfect…” Matt. 5:48.
Living /displaying the knowledge of His code of conduct is what keep us on the road that leads to eternity with Him: “The highway of the upright is to depart from evil: he that keepeth his way preserveth his soul. Prov. 16:17
Great.