The Doctrine of Messiah

Special thanks to Chaplain Gene Bartholf

Introduction:

Have you noticed the increase in Gnostic heresies in these glorious last days. One of these Gnostic heretics has many pages of personal attacks, lies, and curses leveled at those who would question him on the net. One should view such attacks as badges of honor that cause us to hear Yeshua saying: "Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you." (Matt. 5:11-12) Every believer should have these 2 verses memorized in these days. It restores the joy of the Holy Ghost when friends and loved ones attack your stand for the truth of the gospel and G-d's prophetic word. It can help when friends and loved ones are taken in by the Gnostic heretics, who can sometimes come as angels of light, but at the very least in sheep's clothing. They will always display charm, charisma, special (gnosis) knowledge, and even signs and wonders such as Jannes & Jambres. The binding of the spirits of Jannes & Jambres in the name of Yeshua, should be done as a matter of prudent understanding of the times, whenever any supernatural phenomena occur. Yes, even if the sign is done in the name of Yeshua. It is never out of order to proclaim the power of the blood of Yeshua. When in doubt --- Blood of Yeshua! Blood of Yeshua! Blood of Yeshua!

Since the L-rd moved to begin work on the Great Joy in Great Tribulation book in 1985, the focus of the work has been to expose the false teaching of the pre-tribulation rapture doctrine and call believers to repent and prepare for the Judgment of G-d coming upon the whole world. After the 1997 Dallas Prophecy Conference, the focus was to change as soon as city of Jerusalem was attacked. That time may be now, in light of the 7/30/97 Jerusalem Terrorist Bomb. (See Ezekiel 20:48-22:16). If this is that time spoken of by Yeshua, the affirmation of the Doctrine of Messiah becomes paramount for me. I will not go forth, nor encourage others by my example, to go forth, according to the warnings of Yeshua Messiah in Matt 24:23-27. I will affirm the Doctrine of Messiah so that my brothers and sisters are not deceived. One recognizes the counterfeit by knowing the genuine.

As we see the whole world coming under the judgment of Almighty G-d, it is only our firm grip on the Doctrine of Messiah which will keep us proclaiming --- "G-d is a good G-d." "G-d is a merciful, holy, just and righteous, G-d." The ultimate proof is the Doctrine of Messiah. This section will be expanded from time to time. Please go through it frequently to strengthen your grip on the Doctrine of Messiah.

What is the Doctrine of Messiah?

In one verse it is John 3:16 -- For G-d so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

In John's second epistle we find:
7 For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Yeshua Messiah is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist.
8 Look to yourselves, that we lose not those things which we have wrought, but that we receive a full reward.
9 Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Messiah, hath not G-d. He that abideth in the doctrine of Messiah, he hath both the Father and the Son.
10 If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him G-d speed:
11 For he that biddeth him G-d speed is partaker of his evil deeds.

Many today are pursuing the law. This is good. Hereby we do know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments. However, the second greatest lie of the devil is that if you do more good than bad you will go to heaven. This is not the doctrine of Messiah, and its proclaimers may be cursed. You are not saved by how you walk the narrow way. If you leave the Doctrine of Messiah to walk the narrow way, you are following a demon to hell. Your good works can bring you to a point where you judge others and think you have arrived at some state of entire sanctification. One can even become a crusader with the accuser of the brethren spirit. Many of the modern Gnostic heretics are saying that one cannot really understand Shaul (Paul) the apostle, who said in 2 Timothy 3:16-- All scripture is given by inspiration of G-d, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:. It is the Holy Spirit who gives understanding. All scripture is given by inspiration of G-d, the Holy Spirit gives understanding. It is the Holy Spirit Who helps and keeps us on the narrow way, puts the power in our prayer, keeps us focused on our own sins and not those of others. It is a demon spirit which will tell you that the way you are walking the narrow way saves you, that your good deeds save you, that you can judge anyone other than yourself, that your heart is pure, or that you are entirely sanctified, or that you cannot fall.

If you are not saved by your faith in the grace and mercy of G-d, expressed by the shed blood of Yeshua Messiah, you will perish. It is your grip on the grace and mercy of G-d, expressed by the shed blood of Yeshua Messiah, which will keep you proclaiming that G-d is a good G-d in the midst of judgments coming which are worse than your worst nightmare. There is a great difference between judgment and wrath. The lake of fire is the ultimate expression of the wrath of G-d. This wrath will be upon all those who refuse the grace and mercy of G-d through the shed blood of Yeshua Messiah. As Colonel Jim Ammerman says, "Heaven is not that bad." Are they going to threaten you with eternity? If your hope is totally in the love, mercy, and grace of G-d expressed by the blood of Yeshua Messiah, you have the blessed hope. Only this blessed hope will have you gladly choose the guillotine rather than the mark of the Beast.

It is ignorance bordering on stupidity to hurt or curse the Jew. In the time of Jacob's Trouble the G-d of Jacob will be your only refuge. Your outreach to the Jew, who is being blamed for all the problems in the world, and fleeing for his life, is the direct route to G-d's protection and blessing. The call has never changed, we are to love and bless the Jew first, to cause them to ask the reason of the hope that is in us. History has already proved that G-d blesses those who bless the Jews and curses those who curse them. It will become a matter of life and death in the time of Jacob's Trouble. Yeshua told us to be His witnesses. Shaul (Paul) was not ashamed of the Gospel, as he said it is the power of G-d to the Jew first and also the gentile. Churchianity stinks. A relationship with the Living G-d, through the shed blood of Messiah Yeshua is the most Jewish thing that any Jew can do. Without the shedding of blood there is no remission of sins. Yeshua, and only the blood of Yeshua, can solve the sin problem that separates any Jew or Gentile from the Living G-d.

Never compromise on this! I don't care how great Gershonm Salomon is, and he is great, and I love him. If he doesn't know Yeshua Messiah, he has yet to know the most Jewish truth of all. I am not ashamed of the Gospel (good news of Yeshua Messiah) for it is the power of G-d unto salvation, to the Jew first and also the Greek.

G-d is a personal G-d who deals with each individual. He has no pleasure in the death of the wicked. It is not His will that any perish, but that all come to repentance. Lost tribes is la la land. There are many lost sheep, both Jews and Gentiles. The faithful remnant are the redeemed sheep, who are part of the family of G-d called Israel. The church has not replaced Israel. If it is a true church it is part of Israel and keeps His commandments. There are no lost tribes. You will not find lost tribes anywhere in the word of G-d. Pay attention to what is written. Pay much less attention to what is written about what G-d has written.

Yeshua battled the devil with "It is written... It is written... It is written." Nowhere in the word of G-d, is LOST TRIBES written. There are many lost people. Jew or gentile are lost, unless they know Yeshua and have had their sin problem covered and atoned by the blood of Yeshua. Israel is the name of the family of G-d. If you have been born again by having been redeemed by the blood of Yeshua, you are more a part of Israel than the Sabra born in Israel, who does not know Yeshua.

If you are saved, live saved. Judge yourself and no one else. Thou shalt not kill. Hereby we do know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments. His commandment is that we love one another. There is nothing more Jewish, that any Jew or Gentile can do, than to ditch his religion for a relationship with HaShem through the blood of Yeshua. Shaul (Paul) the apostle was a Jewish rabbi, perhaps the greatest rabbi ever, except for Messiah Himself, who was not ashamed of the Gospel. Because Shaul said "it is the power of G-d unto salvation, to the Jew first and also the Greek. If you are ashamed of the Gospel and will not tell the Jew there is no way to eternal life apart from Yeshua, I say shame on you. If you are redeemed you have a right to judge yourself and no one else. We should all agree and be humbled and repent over the fact that the church killed millions of Jews in the name of Jesus Christ. It is abominable. Yet it is just as abominable to let Jews or Greeks eternally perish because we are too ignorant, or too timid, to tell them. There is no way to eternal life unless the blood of Messiah Yeshua represents the price of redemption. Let the redeemed of the L-rd say so. Are you redeemed? What makes you think so?

I know that I deserve to go to hell more than anyone. But even more surely I know I won't go there because of the blood of Yeshua. If you think Gershon Salomon can avoid hell without Yeshua, you don't know what G-d said, or you think you know better than what G-d said. That is not right, smart, or loving. If you do KNOW Yeshua, you have NO right to judge, hate, belittle, and certainly not kill anyone who does not know Yeshua. You have a right and responsibility to love, bless, pray, and sacrifice for that person until they finally ask to know the reason of the hope that is in you. Then, with meekness and fear, you can tell them about Yeshua. Anything else is pompous, hypocritical, fluff that will soon be burned up.

Romans Chapter 3

Rom 3:21 But now the righteousness of G-d without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets;
Rom 3:22 Even the righteousness of G-d which is by faith of Yeshua Messiah unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference:
Rom 3:23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of G-d;
Rom 3:24 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Messiah Yeshua:

The Apostle Shaul is writing to people who knew the law. They were raised with the law. The apostle mentions that the law did not have the ability to produce righteousness. The law produces self-righteousness, and self-righteousness is of works. It is what we can do. We do good things, then we say that because we do good things we are righteous. But G-d says there are none righteous. We are all sinners. We have all sinned and come short of the glory of G-d.

The Apostle says in verse twenty two that the only source of righteousness is Messiah, by faith. Look at it!

When you and I believe in what Yeshua Messiah did, when we put our confidence in Him, then He becomes the source of our righteousness. We cannot earn righteousness, it must be charged to our account. We, by nature, are unrighteous.

Look at verse twenty three where the text declares “For all have sinned.” The first word that is translated as sin in our Bible is “transgression.” We are transgressors. To be guilty of transgression means that we have over-stepped the law. Since we have over-stepped the law we are transgressors. I'm guilty! So are you.

What the law did, and does, is to identify sin. Because the law identifies sin, it gives us the knowledge that we have over-stepped the law. How Yeshua dealt with this over and over again! When the subject of adultery would come up for instance, Yeshua put his finger on the heart of the matter. He said “You boast that you have not committed the physical act, but because of your heart which is full of sin, you have committed the act in your heart which is the source of sin.” This is true. We are all guilty. We are all transgressors.

In Psalm 51. David talks about sin. Listen to this in verse one.

Psa 51:1 To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David, when Nathan the prophet came unto him, after he had gone in to Bathsheba. Have mercy upon me, O G-d, according to thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions.

David said, “I have over-stepped the law. I can make only one plea in the presence of G-d. I can only plead for mercy. L-rd, You are a G-d of mercy. I do not deserve forgiveness, but because of your manifold mercy, You will forgive me.” I am glad that we serve a G-d who is a forgiver!

Look in Romans chapter two and twenty three.

[Rom 2:23] Thou that makest thy boast of the law, through breaking the law dishonorest thou G-d?

Here G-d says “I want you to measure up. This is what I expect. This is what I require. This is what I demand.” Then we break that law. We transgress, and in the process of transgression we dishonor G-d.

This is the reason David said “G-d, against You, and against You only, have I sinned.” If we get that revelation it will produce sorrow. People who are not sorry for their sin will never know the joy of forgiveness, and the victory of repentance.

Romans Chapter 4

[Rom 4:1] What shall we say then that Abraham our father, as pertaining to the flesh, hath found?
[Rom 4:2] For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory; but not before G-d.
[Rom 4:3] For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed G-d, and it was counted unto him for righteousness.
[Rom 4:4] Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt.
[Rom 4:5] But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the unG-dly, his faith is counted for righteousness.
[Rom 4:6] Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man, unto whom G-d imputeth righteousness apart from works,
[Rom 4:7] Saying, Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered.
[Rom 4:8] Blessed is the man to whom the L-rd will not impute sin.
[Rom 4:9] Cometh this blessedness then upon the circumcision only, or upon the uncircumcision also? for we say that faith was reckoned to Abraham for righteousness.
[Rom 4:10] How was it then reckoned? when he was in circumcision, or in uncircumcision? Not in circumcision, but in uncircumcision.
[Rom 4:11] And he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had yet being uncircumcised: that he might be the father of all them that believe, though they be not circumcised; that righteousness might be imputed unto them also:
[Rom 4:12] And the father of circumcision to them who are not of the circumcision only, but who also walk in the steps of that faith of our father Abraham, which he had being yet uncircumcised.
[Rom 4:13] For the promise, that he should be the heir of the world, was not to Abraham, or to his seed, through the law, but through the righteousness of faith.
[Rom 4:14] For if they who are of the law be heirs, faith is made void, and the promise made of no effect:
[Rom 4:15] Because the law worketh wrath: for where no law is, there is no transgression.
[Rom 4:16] Therefore it is of faith, that it might be by grace; to the end the promise might be sure to all the seed; not to that only which is of the law, but to that also which is of the faith of Abraham; who is the father of us all,
[Rom 4:17] (As it is written, I have made thee a father of many nations,) before him whom he believed, even G-d, who giveth to life the dead, and calleth those things which be not as though they were.
[Rom 4:18] Who against hope believed in hope, that he might become the father of many nations; according to that which was spoken, So shall thy seed be.
[Rom 4:19] And being not weak in faith, he considered not his own body now dead, when he was about an hundred years old, neither yet the deadness of Sara's womb:
[Rom 4:20] He staggered not at the promise of G-d through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to G-d;
[Rom 4:21] And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform.
[Rom 4:22] And therefore it was imputed to him for righteousness.
[Rom 4:23] Now it was not written for his sake alone, that it was imputed to him;
[Rom 4:24] But for us also, to whom it shall be imputed, if we believe on him that raised up Yeshua our L-rd from the dead;
[Rom 4:25] Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification.

Notice what Shaul is saying. It is not hard to understand. The Holy Spirit will make it so simple any little child can understand if you ask Him. Paul used Abraham as an example. G-d declared Abraham to be righteous. The question is, what put G-d and Abraham in a position where G-d could say to Abraham, “You are a righteous man?”

First of all, there are the two things which did not produce it. Abraham was not declared righteous because he was circumcised. G-d declared Abraham righteous before there was circumcision. Before Abraham was ever circumcised G-d declared that he was righteous.

Abraham did not obtain righteousness because he was a keeper of the law. The law had not yet been given. There was no law. Without circumcision and without the law, Abraham was declared righteous.

G-d was able to impute righteousness to Abraham because he believed G-d. G-d made some promises to Abraham that had to do with the eternal plan of salvation (Yeshua). Abraham put his confidence in what G-d said. Because Abraham believed G-d, and knew that G-d would keep His word, and that G-d had a plan for his deliverance, G-d said “I am going to charge righteousness to your account.”

Look at verse three and the question that is asked:

[Rom 4:3] For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed G-d, and it was counted unto him for righteousness.

In this chapter you will find the word counted many times. There are three different English words, but it is the same Greek word in these scriptures. The first word is counted. Think what it means “counted unto him for righteousness?” The second word is reckoned. The third word is impute. There are three words: counted, reckoned, and imputed. What do these words mean? Simply this, “to place or put to one’s account.”

Because Abraham believed G-d, G-d put to Abraham’s account something called righteousness. It was imputed, counted, or reckoned to Abraham. Is righteousness in your account? We would be spiritually bankrupt if we did not have righteousness put on our account, wouldn’t we?

We have no righteousness of our own. We do not have it to bank it. We cannot produce it. We cannot buy it. There is no way to obtain it. If righteousness is going to be on our account, it will be because someone who has righteousness places it on our account. The only One who has righteousness is G-d, for there is none righteous, no not one.

This word is important. Look at these scriptures. Know and understand what G-d is inspiring by His Spirit into your spirit, soul, and mind with this important word in these scriptures.

[Rom 4:3] For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed G-d, and it was counted unto him for righteousness.

[Rom 4:4] Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt.

[Rom 4:5] But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.

[Rom 4:6] Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man, unto whom G-d imputeth righteousness without works,

[Rom 4:8] Blessed is the man to whom the L-rd will not impute sin.

[Romans 4:9 b] . . . for we say that faith was reckoned to Abraham for righteousness.

[Romans 4:10] How was it then reckoned?

[Rom 4:11] . . . that righteousness might be imputed unto them also:

[Rom 4:22] And therefore it was imputed to him for righteousness.

Nine times in twenty five verses we see concerning Abraham that G-d charged to Abraham’s account -- righteousness. G-d said “I am going to put to your account righteousness. You cannot get it any other way. When I give it to you it is the most perfect kind of righteousness there is. It is My righteousness which has been given to you.” This means that if you have the righteousness of G-d, you have true righteousness and not stinking self righteousness. If your righteousness is not given to you by G-d, it stinks of self-righteousness. Self righteousness is the broadway to hell. Amen?

When you have the righteousness that is given you by G-d, you see that the way you keep the law is inadequate and stinks. You see that your works of righteousness stink. You see that you have more than a full time job honestly judging yourself. You become a beam hunter, of the beam in your own eye, and don't worry about the motes in your brother's eye. You quit making excuses. You look deeper into the desperate wickedness in your own heart to the full exclusion of any faults in your brother. You know your own righteousness stinks and you can't escape that stink, this side of glory. You know that G-d loves you in spite of all that. You know His mercy and His grace. All you care about is the righteousness that He has given you. You delight in keeping His law because you know how bad you really stink. But ... you see more and more how much He loves you and will clean away any of that stinky stuff you are willing to bring to Him. You know He will finally take away the smell of your corruption in glory. You will hide your self righteousness, and speak of the true righteousness found only through the grace and mercy of G-d expressed through the blood of Yeshua Messiah. You don't hate, backbite, belittle, or kill the people who don't have this true righteousness which only G-d has to give. You pray, love, give, and sacrifice for those people until they ask the reason of the hope that is in you. What a blessed hope we have when G-d gives us righteousness through the blood of Yeshua Messiah. That is the Doctrine of Messiah.

Think on this. Understand and know how G-d is able to maintain His justness, and at the same time be a justifier of sinners. It is supernatural! To think that we all, who are unrighteous to the place that a sentence of death is upon us, received in our account the perfect righteousness of G-d as a gift through Yeshua Messiah is absolutely mind-blowing! Children can believe and understand it. Intelligent people struggle with it. People with false humility don't understand it. Gnostic heretics develop impressive complex systems and methods, but really don't and can't understand it. It is supernatural and you understand it by the SPIRIT OF MESSIAH.

Mark verse fifteen because verse fifteen is a key verse.

[Rom 4:15] Because the law worketh wrath: for where no law is, there is no transgression.

Why would G-d give to unrighteous people a law when there is no power in the law to help a person keep it? How many have ever heard someone say “Oh, I will make it, if I can just live by the Ten Commandments.” All those Ten Commandments do is condemn us. It identifies sin.

We, by birth, are children of wrath. We are children of disobedience. We are sinners by birth. I am not a sinner because I have sinned. I am a sinner because I was born and shapen in sin. It is because of the sin nature which controls my life that makes me a sinner. That is true whether there is any law or not. No law is needed to prove that we are sinners.

Here is the greatest proof that we are sinners without a law! The wages of sin is death. If there was no sin, neither would there be death. There would be no spiritual death or physical death. We would be eternally righteous. But because sin entered the world by one man, Adam, through his seed sin is passed from one generation to the other. By birth we are born sinners.

Why did G-d give a law? Why did G-d give the Ten Commandments and other instructions? The law is given so that the acts of sin may be identified. The law does two basic things. The first thing the law does is the moment that one member of our body transgresses the law of G-d it brings guilt and condemnation. The law, first of all, identifies that we are sinners. Secondly, the law brings us under condemnation. This means that under the Old Covenant every time there was transgression there had to be sacrifice to cancel out the breaking of the law. Blood sacrifices were continuously offered in order to take care of the transgression of the law.

Once a year, an offering was made on the Day of Atonement for the sin. It was a continual offering because there was no way for a person to receive the nature of G-d. There was a promise made that it would happen. Abraham believed that promise so much that when G-d directed him to offer his son, Abraham did not hesitate. Do you know why Abraham was able to do that? Abraham had faith that if G-d required him to slay that son, G-d would raise him from the dead.

Abraham believed in the resurrection.

G-d said “Because you have believed me, I will charge to your account righteousness.”

When Yeshua came on the scene He did not die for transgressions. He did not die for our misdeeds or breaking of the law. Yeshua is called the last Adam. He came and gave Himself because He had no sin nature. He was born of a virgin, and not from the seed of Joseph. The seed of man, which would have passed sin on, would have disqualified him. Because Mary conceived by the Holy Spirit, He was without a sin nature. When Yeshua died He qualified to cancel what the first Adam brought to man.

You do not come down to an altar to be saved from your sins. You do not come to an altar to be saved for an act you committed years ago! You do not come to an altar because you lied, cheated or stole! If we had to confess all of our sins to be saved, I would be at the altar more than a year! We confess that we are a sinner by nature, and Yeshua died to pay the price for sin!

Watch this! My sin is put on the cross! It means that G-d can maintain His justness because someone paid the price! That is called redemption! I have been bought back! When I look at the cross I see my sin nailed to the cross! But that is only half of the story.

The other thing that happened was what Yeshua said! “You believe and not only will I die! But when I am resurrected I will send to you the same spirit that raised me from the dead!”

My sin was put on the cross. The Holy Spirit was sent so that I could have His divine nature. Inside of me, I reckon my sin on the cross! I reckon that the Spirit of G-d is in me! It is the same spirit that raised Yeshua from the dead! I am righteous regardless of what the adversary says! It has been charged to my account!

He ever liveth to make intercession for me. I am living in a house that was taught and controlled by the sin nature. Sin is in my body. You say “How do you know that?” I am doing my best to stay alive as long as I can, but I will die, and so will you.

Sin works in this body. If I do what this body wants to do, it will not serve G-d! My body does not even want to! It will eat stuff that it should not eat, and go places it should not go. It will do things it should not do. You see, it was the house that had sin as a master. Now it has a new master, and there is a battle going on. The new master says no, but the old master taught me the other way.

There is a great story to illustrate this whole matter. A milk man, forty years ago, did not have a truck. He had a wagon and a horse. The milk man had a route. The route was done so often that all he had to do was to harness the horse to the wagon. Once the horse was started on the route, the milkman did not have to say anything. The horse knew when to stop, when to slow down, and where to turn. The horse had been taught by the milk man. The milk man did not even have to touch the reins.

The route grew. One day he decided it was time to buy a truck. So he sold the horse and wagon to a doctor. The doctor hooked the milk horse up to his buggy. Where do you think the horse wanted to go? That horse wanted to run the milk route. For the first time that horse felt the pull on the reins. He felt the pain of the bit, and the sting of the whip. The doctor said no, and the horse had to learn that he had a new master. He could not run the milk route anymore. Can you imagine the frustration of the horse to know that he was being treated the way he was? But he had to learn that the doctor could not afford to have that horse run the milk route.

That is what happened when we received Yeshua Messiah as the L-rd of our life. Sin had been our master, and we learned to run sin’s route. In our mind! In our appetite and emotion! Every part of our flesh and natural man was under the influence, direction and lordship of sin and carnality!

But when Yeshua came into our heart, we felt the pull of the bit in our mouth! Every once in awhile, the L-rd has to crack the whip over your flanks! You begin to feel things you never felt before! Do not think it is strange! G-d is just trying to get you off the milk route.

For transgression the law was given. Not only was the law given to identify sin, but it was also given to point people to redemption. The law caused people to focus. If you just stayed with the law you had self-righteousness. But if you could focus on the provision of G-d, that was faith!

Regardless of what your circumstance is, we have a standing in Messiah! We have a righteousness imputed or charged to our account! That is what the fourth chapter is all about. There is no condemnation to those who are in Messiah! You are free! You have the righteousness of G-d, and G-d wants you to be aware of that! You can and should walk in victory!

You say, “You do not know what I have done!” I do not care what you have done! “You do not know what my battle is!” I do not care what your battle is. It does not change your standing before G-d one iota. G-d should get all the praise and the glory, not you or your guru.

That is what it means to be redeemed. You do not have to have an emotional outburst! You certainly don't have to have a vision. You don't have to hear a voice. Thank G-d for emotions, but you do not have to have it. Salvation is a matter of the will. It is choice. It is “Whosoever will!” Abraham said I believe, and G-d declared him righteous.

You do not have to join a church. You do not have to do one thing except look up and say “G-d, I am a sinner. I know You made a provision for it. I confess that I am a sinner. I put my faith in what Yeshua Messiah did on Calvary. I give you my life.” Do that with your will, and just as sure as G-d made green apples you will be righteous, because G-d said so. If you are putting your faith in how you walk the narrow way, you are following a demon spirit to hell. If you put your faith in how well you keep the law, you are following a demon spirit to hell. If you put your faith in what Yeshua Messiah did for you on Calvary, you are following the Holy Spirit, to eternal life and true righteousness.


Blessed Assurance, Yeshua is mine
Oh, what a foretaste of glory divine!
Heir of salvation, purchase of G-d
Born of His spirit, washed in his blood

This is my story, This is my song
Praising my savior all the day long
This is my story, This is my song
Praising my savior all the day long.


Mark verse twenty five. It is a great verse to memorize and to frequently bring to mind.

[Rom 4:24] But for us also, to whom it shall be imputed, if we believe on him that raised up Yeshua our L-rd from the dead;
[Rom 4:25] Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification.

That is what it means to be a Messianic believer, or to be redeemed. Beware if someone gives you a gospel that does not sound like good news. Beware if someone gives you a gospel that is not simple enough for a child to understand. The True Gospel is good news and it is simple enough for any child to understand. Let the redeemed of the L-rd, say so!

Romans Chapter 5

Chapter three through the fifth chapter deals with the subject of justification. The problem is this: How can a G-d who is just, continue to remain just, righteous, and holy, while at the same time justify those of us who are unholy, sinners, and ungodly? How can G-d do that?

Have you been convinced, beyond any argument that you are a sinner? Do you still want to get what you deserve? Do we know that we do not deserve G-d’s love? But we have it.

In the fifth chapter of the Book of Romans we are taught about justification. Someone wiser than me many years ago said about this word “Justification means--- just-as-if-I'd-never-sinned.” That is what G-d has done. G-d has positioned us through Yeshua Messiah so that we stand before Him just as if we had never sinned. What a miracle of grace and mercy that is!

Everything we do is based on faith! Let’s suppose that you know nothing about a bus. You come up to this person and say “What are you doing?” They say, “We are waiting on a bus! The schedule says that at certain times the bus will come.” So there they stand by faith! And the faith was prompted because of the schedule!

G-d said, “I am going to make you a promise. I have a schedule. I have a plan. All I am asking you to do is to accept it, believe it and act on it. If you will do this, then you will receive justification. My plan, arrangement and schedule has made it possible for Me to remain just and at the same time to justify you. I have done that through My son Yeshua. There was no sin in Him, so I put your sin on Him. He paid the price so you do not have to pay it. If you will believe what I have done, and confess that you will be justified.”

Isn’t that great? It is so simple, and yet so powerful!

Most Gnostic heretics cannot believe the simple gospel so they work hard and come up with a great revelation. Then they want you to work real hard, (and think they are great or smart) and believe the same great revelation, or else you will go to hell. The gospel is simple so that we may receive the good news as a child. If our great intelligence makes us incapable of humbling ourselves and receiving the pure simple gospel as a child, any of us could come up with a Gnostic (special knowledge) heresy.

The difference between natural faith or belief, and spiritual faith is this -- Spiritual faith is more than mental calculation. There is an element which must be added to the promise in order for us to have the faith which pleases G-d.

The element which must be added is this: The Spirit of G-d. The Ruach HaKodesh. The Holy Spirit.

It takes the Word of G-d plus the Spirit of G-d to equal faith. Have you ever tried to just mentally claim a promise in prayer? I have fallen on my face many times in this. I have done it many times in prayer for healing --- “L-rd, I am believing you for healing!” And they were not healed. Have you had that experience?

I have prayed other prayers, and quoted the promise but I did not get the result I thought I was going to get. Have you ever had that? There was a missing element. I had the promise, and I prayed. But there was an element which was missing. That is the Spirit of G-d making the promise real to the inner man so that the promise becomes reality.

The natural mind cannot comprehend the things of G-d. They are spiritually understood. Listen carefully to this! This is the reason it is so important that if you are not a believer, and all of a sudden there is a conviction which settles down over you that you had nothing to do with! It is the Holy Spirit who brings that conviction. For example, consider the person who sits under the influence of the Gospel. All of a sudden, they experience a deep inner urging that says “I must respond! I must do something about that.” The only One who can do something about that issue is the Holy Spirit.

Unless the Spirit of G-d draws, you cannot call Yeshua Messiah L-rd. When that happens it is important that we respond. The same Spirit who convicts us, the moment we, by our will, respond to the Spirit of G-d, the Spirit of G-d plus the promise of G-d produces faith. And faith makes it a fact until you can say, “I know that I know” because of faith.

Do we understand that? This is critical! We have to preach the word, and depend on the Holy Spirit or there will be no faith. You can have belief, but belief under the test will not hold up! You can have faith, and faith will hold up during the fire!

We are justified by faith! Because I believe what G-d said, and what G-d provided in Yeshua Messiah, the Holy Spirit has sealed that in my heart. The Holy Spirit has given me an inner witness. In Romans chapter eight, we read words like this: “His spirit bears witness with my spirit. Not my head, but my spirit! And I know I am a child of G-d.” Somebody says, “Can you know that you are redeemed?” Yes! If you don’t know it, you ain’t! Let the redeemed of the L-rd say so.

These verses are filled with the glorious, simple, powerful truth of G-d's inspired word.

[Rom 5:1] Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with G-d through our L-rd Yeshua Messiah:

Notice the preposition. We have peace WITH G-d, not the peace OF G-d. Do you know that you can have peace with G-d when you do not have the peace of G-d? Do you know, and you must come by the Holy Spirit to know, that you have peace with G-d through faith in Yeshua Messiah? This means that no longer are we separated! We are no longer divided! No longer are we alienated! Now we have been brought near by the blood of Messiah, and now we have peace with G-d. Do you know that you have peace with G-d?

Many of us are facing difficult situations. Soon we will all be facing difficult times. There are problems and difficulties, soon to become great tribulation, with which we will all be wrestling. Perhaps there are some disappointments and pain. We have peace with G-d, but because of the things which have happened we may not have the peace of G-d. Most of us may have peace with G-d, but we are troubled about something.

G-d wants us to not only have peace with G-d, but also to have the peace of G-d. If nothing else happened to us, to this point, there ought to be a quickening of our step as the Holy Spirit gives us understanding of what is taught by the Holy Spirit in Romans chapters 3 through 5. Should not these things be included in the complete understanding of salvation? Yeshua means salvation. Yeshua had to knock Paul off his horse because he was so religious, intelligent, and proud. Let us receive the good news of Yeshua (salvation) as a child, and be bold to share it the same way, with the simplicity, single-mindedness, passion and joy of a child. Let us be unashamed as we break forth with praise because by faith in Yeshua Messiah we are justified and we have peace with G-d, and we can call Him Father. Abba! Father.

[Rom 5:2] By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of G-d.

It is through Yeshua Messiah that we have access to this faith. It is that access through Yeshua Messiah which enables me to stand “just as if I had never sinned.” This is marvelous because I know for a fact I have sinned, but G-d looks at me because of my faith as though I never did! If I could drive that home it would take care of about 95% of the guilt problems people have. It would also go a long ways toward setting us free from emotional depression. I used the word emotional deliberately because some depression can be caused by organic disturbances or physiological problems. But when it is emotional depression, G-d wants you to know that through faith in Messiah you can have peace with G-d.

Verse three is tough. It is easy to read but much tougher to live it out!

[Rom 5:3] And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also:

I should, but truthfully, I seldom glory in tribulations. It is not G-d's best but I bellyache in my tribulation! I put on a mule face in my tribulation! In most cases you can tell when G-d is tribulating me. Have you had any tribulation within the past couple of weeks? Good! Say “Glory to G-d for my tribulation!” Why? -- “knowing that tribulations produces patience.”

They built a special structure called a Biosphere, in Arizona with a controlled climate. People went into the biosphere with the commitment to live in these various climates for a two year period to see the effect on plants, animals and human beings in a perfectly controlled and clean atmosphere. All the climate atmospheres which exist on earth could be produced from sub-zero to hot tropical, and from no humidity to high humidity. They could produce everything except for one thing. The one thing they could not produce was strong wind because it would have destroyed everything that was inside. As a result of having a perfect atmosphere without the stress of wind, plants would not grow well.

Plants would only reach a certain height, and collapse. They found out that they could not produce strong plants in that controlled atmosphere. No wonder G-d said we need to glory in tribulations! The wind that blows on us is not for our destruction, but to make us strong! When you establish the basis of faith in Messiah, and that we are no longer alienated from the L-rd but a purchased possession, we should not get bent out of shape when difficulties break out upon us. Tribulation has a purpose in our life! It prunes the weak growth, and encourages new growth!

Tribulation brings patience, and patience brings character and experience. Character is the accumulation of experience. It is the accumulation of past choices. We find out through tribulation and our waiting in the midst of the wind and pressure what character is. If we want to know what we are really made of in our faith, let’s watch it in tribulation!

Some folks can back-slide and lose their confidence if someone does not shake hands with them, or does not smile at them right! Or, if the preacher says just one sentence they do not like! So the L-rd arranges tribulation to prune us, and make us stronger in our faith. Faith becomes strong when it is exercised.

Look at how often the word “we” is used. If "we" are justified, there are things that “we” need to know.

[Rom 5:6] . . . we were yet without strength, (but) Messiah died for the ungodly.

[Rom 5:8] . . . while we were yet sinners, Messiah died for us.

[Rom 5:9] . . . we shall be saved from wrath through him.

[Rom 5:10] . . . we were enemies,

[Rom 5:10] . . . we were reconciled to G-d by the death of his Son,

[Rom 5:10] . . . we shall be saved by his life.

[Rom 5:11] . . . we also joy in G-d through our L-rd Yeshua Messiah,

[Rom 5:11] . . . we have now received the reconciliation.

[Rom 5:1] . . . we have peace with G-d through our L-rd Yeshua Messiah:

[Rom 5:2] . . . we have access by faith into this grace

[Rom 5:2] . . . we stand

[Rom 5:3] . . . we glory in tribulations

Think of it! All because G-d put into motion a plan (the Hebrew word for the plan is Yeshua) whereby we could be justified! While I was still an enemy, alienated from G-d, unworthy and yet a sinner because of faith in Yeshua Messiah I can now glory in the hope and in the provision of Messiah! I stand before G-d just as if I had never sinned.

Saints, the thing that makes this so powerful is that one of these days, I, like you, will be brought into the presence of the L-rd. To think that when I stand there that I will stand there without sin! I will stand there declared righteous by G-d Himself because of His Son, Yeshua. I enter into the glory of the L-rd, not as an enemy, not as a sinner, but as one of His children, born of His Spirit, washed in the blood, and covered with His mercy. My standing before Him is absolute pure, holy and complete.

When we get to Romans chapter eight, Paul shouts it out: There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Messiah Yeshua.” Get it settled according to the word of G-d. It is not joining the church. Its not how you walk the narrow way of some guru. It is not what kind of love you have. It is what kind of love He has. It is not living the good life. It is not whether or not you pay your tithes. It is not even whether or not you come to church. That is not the big issue. The big issue is: What is your relationship concerning Yeshua Messiah? Do you believe G-d's plan of salvation (Yeshua), or some man's plan, or your plan? Do you follow the Doctrine of Messiah, or do you follow the doctrine of some guru.

[Rom 5:12] Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:
[Rom 5:13] (For until the law sin was in the world: but sin is not imputed when there is no law.
[Rom 5:14] Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over them that had not sinned after the similitude of Adam's transgression, who is the figure of him that was to come.
[Rom 5:15] But not as the offence, so also is the free gift. For if through the offence of one many be dead, much more the grace of G-d, and the gift by grace, which is by one man, Yeshua Messiah, hath abounded unto many.
[Rom 5:16] And not as it was by one that sinned, so is the gift: for the judgment was by one to condemnation, but the free gift is of many offences unto justification.
[Rom 5:17] For if by one man's offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Yeshua Messiah.)

I came into the world, and walked in this world as a sinner because of the transgression of one man, Adam. One man put me into a position where I was alienated and separated from G-d. I was a sinner walking in darkness. I had no spiritual life and the sentence of death was upon me. That is the way I walked in the world because of one man. But one day I met another man, Yeshua. When I met Him, He took care of my sin. He took care of my sinful position. He took care of death. He took care of my separation. That is the reason we can use the word reconciliation. For by one man, the first Adam, sin came. I fell under judgment and the wrath of G-d was upon me.

But when I looked to Messiah, I saw that the wrath of G-d was poured out on the cross. If I would accept Him, instead of the wrath of G-d being poured out on me, His mercy dawned on me. Mercy there was great, and grace was free. Pardon there was multiplied to me. Do not look at me to point out my failures, weaknesses, and shortcomings. I have to struggle with them day by day. Let the grace of G-d bring into focus the fact, that because of His mercy, that I, in the failures and weakness of the flesh, can be looked upon by G-d as justified. That is our standing before G-d. That is the Doctrine of Messiah.

The doctrine of Messiah that Shaul (Paul) gives us in Romans chapter 5. It is part of the full and complete story of Yeshua, (salvation). If you hear of a full and complete exposition of salvation which does not contain these truths, try sharing them. If you are dealing with those who have been taken by a Gnostic heresy, these truths will not be received with meekness and joy. Then all you can do is pray for them and bind the demonic spirits by the blood of Yeshua. Let all those who have begun to walk by faith through the Spirit, not seek perfection in the flesh. That stinks. And even a child should run from it.

[Rom 5:17] For if by one man's offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Yeshua Messiah.)

Listen to what the verse says as it is repeated. One man brought death. Through Adam death passed upon all of us. It was by the last Adam, (Messiah), that life was brought. We are all children of the first Adam. When we are born again we become children of the second Adam, and so have life.

Notice a phrase in that verse. “Death reigned by one.” Here is proof positive that sin passed upon all of us. Universal sin passed on mankind because death is universal. The consequence of sin is death both physically and spiritually. The transgression of Adam resulted in condemnation and guilt, and death reigned.

Death reigned without a law. Listen carefully to this statement. If we do not listen carefully we will miss what is said. Sins were not imputed. Men did not die because they committed acts of sin. There was nothing to tell a man what the acts of sin were. Before Moses there were no indications for what was right and what was wrong.

Yet men died. They died not because of their acts. They died because of their condition. They died because they were sinners. Why did G-d give the law? G-d gave the law to identify the acts of sin so there could never be a question about what G-d expected. When the law was given it produced the many acts of sin.

[Rom 5:20] Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound:

Shaul is discussing this with Jews who knew the law, probably better than Monte Judah or Greg Killian. He was saying that before there was a law, sin reigned. The proof that sin reigned is that men died, before there was a law. The law was given, and when it was given the offence increased. There are ten commandments given by Moses, and the moment those statements were given and declared to be the law of G-d, men were guilty of breaking them. Every one of those laws pointed a finger of condemnation.

It is impossible for me to live without Messiah a week, and break none of the law! If you say you can do it, you will lie about something else. None of us can do it. If you think you can, you have deceived yourself. G-d gives the grace, but I frustrate the grace. Apart from Yeshua Messiah there is no grace or truth. The law identified sin, and made everyone who knew the law guilty. Not only were they guilty by the knowledge that death was coming, but now the law also brought them under condemnation.

The Pharisees said they kept the law. Messiah pointed out they kept the letter of the law, but their heart was not right. In their heart they were guilty of breaking the law. Messiah used adultery as an illustration. He said “You may not commit the physical act, but you have it in your heart to do it. G-d does not look on outward appearance, but the heart. So you are guilty.”

Here is the argument that the Jews brought up. Look at it in verse twenty.

[Rom 5:20] Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound:

The argument runs like this: “The more the acts of sin brought condemnation, the greater the grace of G-d was to cover the condemnation.” What was the conclusion they made? They said, “If that is the case let’s abound in sinning so there will be an abundance of grace.”

Someone might say, “Well, that does not apply to us.” Hold on! I wonder if it does. How many people do things they know the L-rd does not want them to do, and shrug it off? They say, “Well, G-d is merciful. G-d is gracious so I will continuing doing this.” In so doing they misquote and misapply what the scripture clearly teaches.

Let’s look at the rest of this.

[Rom 5:21] That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Yeshua Messiah our L-rd.

Romans Chapter 6

Forget that there is a chapter division here so we will not lose the thought.

[Rom 6:1] What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound?
[Rom 6:2] G-d forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?
[Rom 6:3] Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Messiah were baptized into his death?
[Rom 6:4] Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Messiah was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.
[Rom 6:5] For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection:
[Rom 6:6] Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.
[Rom 6:7] For he that is dead is freed from sin.


We are born with a sin nature. It is also called the old man. This is our state. When Messiah died, He paid the price for sin. Faith says my sin has been placed on Yeshua Messiah. By faith I was crucified, with Messiah. The price was paid. My old man died with Messiah. My sin nature was buried with Messiah. I have been raised or resurrected to walk in the newness of life in Messiah. But this is only half of what happens to us when we receive Yeshua Messiah as our savior.

The other thing that happens is the Spirit that raised Yeshua Messiah from the dead now is given to us so that we receive divine nature. We receive the Spirit of G-d which is the Spirit of Life. This transaction is what the Bible calls “to reckon.” To reckon means to believe it to be so, and to rely on the truth of it.

This word is found in the sixth chapter and verse eleven.

[Rom 6:11] Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto G-d through Yeshua Messiah our L-rd.

When we ask Yeshua Messiah to be our Savior, we are asked to believe. What are we to believe? We are asked to believe that Yeshua Messiah lived without sin, and He was willing to offer Himself to pay the price for sin. The price for sin is death. So the death of Messiah on the cross was substitutionary. He took my place and died on the cross for my sin. I am to believe that He lived without sin so that He could be the sacrifice. I am to believe that He died. I am to believe that He rose again from the dead so that He could impart the same spirit that raised Him from the dead. That is what we are to believe when we say “I believe.”

If we believe that, this reckoning is the track which constantly says “My sin is on the cross, and the Spirit of G-d is in me. The Spirit of G-d is in me to make a new creature because I have the Spirit of Messiah in me.” As long as I maintain that faith I am complete in Messiah because I have His righteousness imputed to me. He paid the price of my sin. So I rejoice, and I did nothing to make that happen except to accept that it has happened!

That is salvation! (Yeshua) I know Yeshua! You can do that without shedding a tear. You don't have to see a vision. You can know Yeshua without going to church. You don't have to feel anything or see anything. You can even do that without paying your tithes. You can do that as you sit between your elbows today! You can say “I believe. I commit my life to you, Messiah. I know that You died in my place. I know that You not only died, but were buried and raised again. The Spirit is now in the world, and I invite You to come into my heart.” And we become a new creature. That is the miracle of the New Birth.

We have a problem. The problem is this sin nature manifests itself through the members of the body. We were brought into this body at our birth with a sin nature. There is a sentence of death on this body. The proof of this is that our body is dying. We have a corruptible body. Our body is the evidence of our sin nature.

If you have not had a problem with the manifestation of sin through the members of the body yet, just wait! You will sooner or later have a problem in your body toward ungodliness. Do you know that just because you are saved does not stop it? That is the reason we must be careful when we look critically at people who have received Messiah. We see them with battles in the flesh, and we are prone to think “They are no good and going to hell!”

Brother, we had better be glad the L-rd G-d does not treat us that way! With every breath we breathe and every step we take, this flesh opposes G-d! The flesh manifests itself in many ways. If it is not in carnality or immorality, then it is other manifestations of the flesh. Galatians mentions nineteen of those manifestations. You may know you can keep yourself pure in one section, and then break down in another? How many have found out that you can get victory in one place only to find out it will break out in another place you did not expect it to?

When I was a young man I had a tremendous temper. I would fight you in a minute! Bang! I would let you have it, and we could talk about it later. And you know, from time to time I find that what I thought was under control years ago can come to the surface! Now if I can expose myself, don’t be ashamed to do a little confessing of your own.

Here we are living in a house of flesh, and the flesh wars against the spirit. The flesh does not like the new master. The flesh likes the old master. That is the reason we continue to feed the flesh what the old master taught it. We can feed it wrong literature. We can feed it wrong things from the television. We can feed it wrong thoughts, and gossip. And after awhile we find a manifestation of the flesh greater than a manifestation of the spirit.

But if we will keep this reckoning of my position, the Spirit of G-d is more powerful than the flesh. Someone might say “How do you know that? Because the flesh kills us, but the spirit brings life. If you will just hold steady and let the Holy Spirit do His work, it is called sanctification.

For those of you who know some theology, let me bring you up to date. There are three phases to sanctification. Sanctification is instantaneous. The moment you receive Messiah, and you reckon yourself and identify with what Messiah has done, and receive Messiah as Savior, at that moment you are instantly sanctified. This means you are declared righteous and holy right then!

There is another phase to it. Sanctification is continuous. You cannot let up in this reckoning process which is an expression of faith. The devil says, “You are no good!” I have to continually say “I know that, but I am in Messiah and Messiah is in me! I am righteous!” I have to fight this battle all the time!

There is a third phase. Sanctification is progressive. One member of my body may submit to the law of G-d, but another member may go beyond the law of G-d. If it does, I feel guilty. The Holy Spirit says “Don’t do that!” And I keep doing it, and the Holy Spirit says “Don’t do that!” If I keep on doing it I will lose my joy, and sit around like a bump on a bull frog! It will affect my fellowship because the Heavenly Father says “ If you are going to keep on doing this you are disobedient. You are not honoring Me so it is going to affect our fellowship, your joy and peace.”

If I use this language do you understand what I mean? If we do not heed the prompting of the Holy Spirit, He will take us to the wood shed. He will give us a whipping! Has G-d ever given you a whipping because of disobedience? Does G-d do that to punish us! No, G-d does not punish. G-d disciplines us, and there is a difference. If He were punishing us then we would be paying our own price. Messiah has already paid the price. Do you understand that?

G-d disciplines us to get us so we will quit doing what we are doing because He loves us. This process is continual. About the time I get one member under control, it will break out somewhere else. I am constantly fighting this battle of my flesh and the Spirit of G-d, the new master, trying to help me so that I will live inside the boundaries that is pleasing to G-d. This is simply called obedience!

If this process is true with me, it is also true with you. If we could see all the members out of control, the offences would be many among us. Watch this! If we begin judging one another (All of a sudden I am judging you, and you are judging me!), what will be the result? Bitterness, meanness, no joy, and condemnation. But we realize that it is the Spirit of G-d who must do this work for He is the sanctifier. I will give it to you from the Word so you can see this. Before I do, let me tell you about this baptism. The baptism has nothing to do with water. It is the baptism into the body of Messiah.

[Rom 6:3] Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Yeshua Messiah were baptized into his death?

I hope you understand this. This is what happens to people who make this water baptism, they say “Okay, when I am baptized in water, that means I am saved because I was baptized in water. So I will baptize my baby when the baby is born which makes them saved.” It is what is called regenerational baptism. All I have to do is to be baptized. There are people who identify with being saved because they were baptized in water, and they depend on that to get them into heaven.

This is not the baptism Shaul is talking about. If you will turn to I Corinthians chapter twelve, you can mark it.

[1 Cor 12:12] For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Messiah.
[1 Cor 12:13] For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.
[1 Cor 12:14] For the body is not one member, but many.

How do I get into the body of Messiah? The Holy Spirit puts me there. We reckon that our sin is on Messiah. He paid the price. The Holy Spirit, who raised Him from the dead, is sent to us in response to our faith. It is the Spirit of G-d who puts me in the body of Messiah.

Let’s look at verse eleven.

[Rom 6:11] Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto G-d through Yeshua Messiah our L-rd.
[Rom 6:12] Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof.

What is another words for lust? Desire or appetite. When we use the word lust in almost every case it is sexual. We connect sexuality with lust. But any evil desire can be carnal lust.

[Rom 6:13] Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto G-d, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto G-d.
[Rom 6:14] For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.
[Rom 6:15] What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? G-d forbid.
[Rom 6:16] Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?

Here is what goes on in the life of a believer in Messiah every day of our life. It never lets up. We have a new master. By the Spirit of G-d we have Messiah living in us. Now Messiah wants to be in control of what we want to do with our flesh. Two things go into effect every time we break the law.

The first thing is the Holy Spirit convicts me! When you do something that G-d does not want you to do, or even think something G-d does not want you to think, the Holy Spirit convicts you. How many during this past week have been convicted about something? If you have not, it is because you have not been listening to G-d! G-d convicts!

The second thing that the Holy Spirit does is this. His blood at the Mercy Seat is constantly there so that when I reckon myself in Messiah, I am covered by the reckoning. He keeps me covered by what He has done, and then deals with me in my disobedience while He keeps me covered. He does not kick me out of the house because I trespassed!

I was raised with the concept that every time I sinned I lost my salvation. That is the reason I got saved in every revival meeting! I was taught that every time I missed the mark G-d kicked me out of the house! How many are glad that there is a sprinkling of blood? If we keep the reckoning right, our standing before G-d is in righteousness, and then because G-d is our Father, He deals with our disobedience!

Holy Spirit is the sanctifier, not you, or your guru.

[Rom 6:23] For the wages of sin is death;

Not sins, but innate sin, is death. Aren’t you glad that G-d does not kill you because you lie? There would be no one in church! Aren’t you glad that G-d does not kill you because you steal? You say, “I do not steal.” You do if you do not pay your tithes. You do if you sloughed off at work this week. You say, “Well, the boss was not there so I got off in a corner so I could sleep and rest.” Thief! What are you doing sleeping?

Have you ever told someone they looked good, and then walked away and said “That was the funniest thing I ever looked at!” We have said “You know, I prayed for you this week!” but we did not utter a word. We throw around words real cheap. “O yeah, I will pray for you!” and then not even think about it until we see them again.

[Rom 6:3] Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Yeshua Messiah were baptized into his death?
[Rom 6:6] Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.
[Rom 6:9] Knowing that Messiah being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him.
[Rom 6:11] Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto G-d through Yeshua Messiah our L-rd.
[Rom 6:13] Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto G-d, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto G-d.
[Rom 6:16] Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?
[Rom 6:19] I speak after the manner of men because of the infirmity of your flesh: for as ye have yielded your members servants to uncleanness and to iniquity unto iniquity; even so now yield your members servants to righteousness unto holiness.

The first phrase is found in verse three: “Know ye.” In verse six mark the words: “Knowing this.” In verse nine mark the words: “Knowing that.” There are certain things as believers in Yeshua Messiah are important that we know. In verse eleven mark: “Reckon ye.” The word to reckon means “count on, or rely.”

Some other words to notice and mark are the words “Yield ye.” You will see it first in verse thirteen “Neither yield ye.” It is found twice in that verse, “Yield yourself.” In verse sixteen, “ Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves.” Then in verse nineteen, “ ye have yielded your members servants.” In verse nineteen also there is the phrase, “ even so now yield your members servants to righteousness.”

“Know ye, reckon ye, and yield ye” are three phrases that we ought to think about. Read carefully Romans chapter six. There are things G-d inspired Shaul to write because He wants us, as believers in Messiah Yeshua, to KNOW. The word reckon is an important word for us if we are to have any victory at all. And then it is important to whom or to what we are yielded.

Let’s think first of all about “know ye.” In verse three:

[Rom 6:3] Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Yeshua Messiah were baptized into his death?

Listen to this. Everyone who receives Yeshua Messiah as Savior, the Holy Spirit does a magnificent thing. When we confess our sin and acknowledge Yeshua Messiah as Savior, we become identified with the work that Yeshua Messiah did for us. When He died, was buried and raised again. When we confess Yeshua Messiah as Savior, we identify with Him in His death, in His burial and in His resurrection.

It is important that we know this because in our identification with Him, He died to take care of sin. Sometimes it is called the sin nature or the old man. When we recognize that Yeshua Messiah died as a substitute, that He paid for my sin and your sin personally, then His death becomes very significant because His death means that I am dead as far as the sin nature is concerned.

He died taking my place. When I was baptized into Messiah, it means that I have identified with Messiah and that assures me of my position before G-d as a righteous person. Without that I am doomed under the wrath of G-d to eternal judgment. We need to know that because the adversary tries to convince us that we are not worthy, and good enough. We need to know that we are identified with Messiah. We did nothing but accept what He did for us. He did it all.

We can stand in our position in Messiah because He made this provision for us. Now that is security! Did you hear me? That is security. Look at the other “know ye.”

[Rom 6:6] Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.

When we say “I receive Messiah. I believe in Messiah. I believe in what He has done” we are appropriating by that faith the death, the burial, and the resurrection of Yeshua Messiah. It is important we know something about being dead. A dead man owes no bills. A bill cannot be collected from a dead man. That is the reason it is important for us to recognize that we are dead in Messiah. The devil cannot collect anything from us. The price is already paid.

That is a blessing, but there is a problem. A dead man cannot do much. Have you seen much activity from a dead man? Catch this because it is a fantastic revelation. A dead man cannot do anything. This is the reason that salvation is more than just one side of the street. It is only half of the story to identify with death in Yeshua Messiah by being baptized unto His death.

Sooner or later, we will all die as a result of sin unless we endure to the end of the great tribulation. If we do not recognize that Messiah paid the price for us, then we will pay the price for ourselves and death will conquer. I was not only crucified with Messiah, and buried with Him, but look at verse nine.

[Rom 6:9] Knowing that Messiah being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him.

Understand what the L-rd inspired in these words. Not only do I identify with His death and burial. Not only is this important for me to know, but it is also important that as Yeshua was raised from the dead I was raised from the dead. Now the sin nature is dead, the old man is dead and buried, and when the resurrection came there is a new man. Old things have passed away, and behold all things are become new. I am a new creation in Messiah Yeshua.

We cannot have faith unless we have knowledge. Did you get that? If you do not know the promise, you cannot have faith. If you could receive the Gospel as a child, all you need to know is John 3:16. Faith is not a feeling. I want to repeat that statement. Faith is not a feeling. Faith is not an emotion. Faith is the result of knowledge. This is the reason Shaul said I want you to know something. I want you to know that as a believer in Messiah you are identified with Messiah’s death, burial and resurrection. The price of death which was on the old man has been paid in full. Now you are identified not only in His burial, but you are identified in His resurrection. You now live because we have eternal life.

Do you KNOW that you have eternal life? The only way that is possible, is for us to KNOW that we are identified with, associated with and related to everything Messiah accomplished. What Messiah did was done for every one of us who acknowledges Him as our source of salvation.

So these folks who say “You Messianic believers are just an emotional bunch!” We are emotional! But we have both feet on the ground! There are some things we know. It is not what you feel! It is what you know! There are times I do not feel saved, but I am, because I know I am. My knowledge is based on what Messiah did! You see, we have a solid, firm and strong foundation upon which we may build our lives.

Knowing this. There are three things we need to know. It is clearly laid out for us. Let’s think for just a minute about reckoning. We say “Oh, I reckon!” In Texas we hear it a lot. Well, we need to analyze that word because it is an important word.

It is in the reckoning that we have victory all of the time. Let me give you a couple of other words. It is what we rely on. It is what we count on. It is what we depend on it. It is sure! We do not have to wonder about it!

This reckoning is an ongoing process. The adversary, our emotions and the accuser of the brethren, will constantly attack us so that we lose the knowledge and awareness of what Messiah has done for us. If it ever dawns upon us that we are just as righteous as we are ever going to be, it will be a wonder! But you see, that is my position! My position is a sure position because of the provision of Messiah! As long as I reckon that, as long as I account that, as long as I rely on that, I have the victory!

Is this blessing you at all? Are you glad for what Messiah has done? Let’s reckon that every day! Every day let’s get up and say “I reckon that to be true! I rely on that!” If we would start every day with that reckoning it will give us a foundation and a powerful position, and the devil cannot do anything about it!

Now we run into a problem. We can determine how strong our reckoning is by how successful our yielding is. Did you hear me? We are going to run into trouble now. We can tell how strong our reckoning is by how much, to whom, and to what we yield. Observe the conflict! I will be glad when I can get through Romans chapter six and seven because Romans six and seven are tough!

Inspired by G-d, Rabbi Shaul says “You know this so reckon it to be true! Now, if you are reckoning it to be true, the reckoning will determine what you yield to!” Observe the problem. The problem is this. I have a body, and a mind that until I had a relationship with Messiah obeyed the master of sin. Sin had dominion over me. Sin has dominion over my body. How many know that sin has dominion over your body? To show you how strong this dominion is, have you ever thought “Well, I think I will go on a diet.” Or "I will not think anything bad about anyone, I'll pray for them instead." How long did it last? Not very long.

I have every sympathy in the world with an alcoholic because I was bound too. Do you understand why I might have sympathy for an alcoholic? The alcoholic is bound by an appetite that is destroying him as a result of sin. All appetites of the flesh, if not controlled, will destroy you! When an appetite of the flesh leads you to sin it will destroy you not only physically, but eternally as well.

Here we are as Messianic believers! We are identified with Messiah, and we reckon that to be so. Now, we have a battle because the flesh has a new master. If I do not keep the reckoning process in the forefront, the old master continues to stay in control. The Spirit of G-d is there to say “No!” What is going to happen when the old master and the Spirit of G-d collide? A work of sanctification begins to separate us away from the sin of the flesh.

The flesh runs counter to the Spirit of G-d. The Bible describes this in Galatians chapter five: the spirit and the flesh war against one another. So there will be no question what the flesh is, let’s take a quick look at Galatians chapter five. When we talk about the flesh, let’s get it nailed down!

Shaul said “You want to know what the manifestations of the flesh are? When we do any of these things which are listed here, we are guilty of yielding our members, which is our body, to the dominion of sin. If you keep reckoning your relationship to Messiah and at the same time yielding to sin, it will cause tremendous conflict. It will create guilt feelings, and break relationships. So because G-d is merciful, G-d does not bring us under condemnation. He keeps pointing, and insisting that we follow His way. He keeps on doing this because He loves us. We are not bastards, but children!”

Look at the list.

[Gal 5:17] For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.
[Gal 5:18] But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law.
[Gal 5:19] Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,
[Gal 5:20] Idolatry,

You say, “I do not have any idols.” There are many things which can become an idol in an instant. We are most probably exposed to more idols now than any generation. Television can be an idol. Sports can be an idol. Almost anything that we let come between us and our commitment to Messiah is an idol.

witchcraft,

Sorcery actually! It is the root word from which we get the English word pharmaceutical or drugs.

hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,
[Gal 5:21] Envyings, murders,

How many have ever murdered somebody? Most of us have. We can do it with our tongue.

drunkenness, revellings, and such like:

This is Shaul’s effort to describe what the flesh is. We must not center in on one, and say that is it. Victory over one of these does not mean you have a pure heart or perfect love. There is the whole list. If we are guilty of one, we are guilty of it all. We are in a battle. When we study chapter seven, Shaul will come down on where our battle is. You say, “Man, this heavy!” Yes, but thank G-d, before we go too far in the scripture there is a glorious way for us to have victory. We do not have to live in defeat. G-d has made such a provision for us.

Know, reckon, and yield are three key words to underline, read, and let them be imprinted in our heart and mind. “Know ye.” It is what we know that produces faith. Without knowledge you cannot have faith. You must have a promise. The promise plus the spirit equals faith.

The second word is “reckon.” To reckon means that I rely on what Messiah has provided. I depend upon the fact that I am identified with Messiah. That is where my life is.

The next word is “yield.” When a member of my body starts in a direction not pleasing to G-d, the Spirit says no. When I yield to the Spirit of G-d, a sanctifying work happens by the Spirit of G-d to bring victory. It is more than joining a church or singing the songs of the church. It is more than following the narrow way of some new guru. It is more than getting into the rhythm of the service or shouting amen. It is identifying with Yeshua Messiah.

His oath, His covenant, His blood
Support me in the whelming flood
When all around my soul gives way
He then is all my hope and stay

On Messiah the solid rock I stand,
All other ground is sinking sand
All other ground is sinking sand.

His oath is the divine promise. His covenant is the divine contract with us. His blood is the price He paid. I stand there on a solid rock! That is where we stand! Secure in Messiah! Don't let any high powered truth twister take your focus off of what G-d has done for you to what you have to do for G-d. You are saved by what G-d did for you, not by what you do for G-d. Believe G-d. Trust G-d. Follow G-d. Do not trust men and their doctrines which can take your focus off Messiah. Know, reckon, and yield to G-d. Tighten your grip on the Doctrine of Messiah.

Romans Chapter 7

[Rom 7:1] Know ye not, brethren, (for I speak to them that know the law,) how that the law hath dominion over a man as long as he liveth?
[Rom 7:2] For the woman which hath an husband is bound by the law to her husband so long as he liveth; but if the husband be dead, she is loosed from the law of her husband.
[Rom 7:3] So then if, while her husband liveth, she be married to another man, she shall be called an adulteress: but if her husband be dead, she is free from that law; so that she is no adulteress, though she be married to another man.
[Rom 7:4] Wherefore, my brethren, ye also are become dead to the law by the body of Messiah; that ye should be married to another, even to him who is raised from the dead, that we should bring forth fruit unto G-d.
[Rom 7:5] For when we were in the flesh, the sinful impulses, which were by the law, did work in our members to bring forth fruit unto death.
[Rom 7:6] But now we are delivered from the law, that being dead in which we were held; that we should serve in newness of spirit, and not in the oldness of the letter.
[Rom 7:7] What shall we say then? Is the law sin? G-d forbid. Nay, I had not known sin, but by the law: for I had not known coveting, except the law had said, Thou shalt not covet.
[Rom 7:8] But sin, taking occasion by the commandment, wrought in me all manner of coveting. For apart from the law sin is dead.
[Rom 7:9] For I was alive apart from the law once: but when the commandment came, sin revived, and I died.
[Rom 7:10] And the commandment, which was ordained to life, I found to be unto death.
[Rom 7:11] For sin, taking occasion by the commandment, deceived me, and by it slew me.
[Rom 7:12] Wherefore the law is holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good.
[Rom 7:13] Was then that which is good made death unto me? G-d forbid. But sin, that it might appear sin, working death in me by that which is good; that sin by the commandment might become exceeding sinful.
[Rom 7:14] For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin.

In Romans chapter six, we saw that each of us have a sin nature. By birth and by nature we are sinners. We are sinners having done no sin. We have broken no law, but we are sinners. We are born and shapen in iniquity. The root of sin is passed on to us generation after generation. We are all sinners. I do not think anyone will deny that. It was also explained that when Yeshua Messiah died, He died for sin. He died for root sin. He died for the nature of sin. He died for old man sin. He paid the price on the cross. The price for sin is death. We know that we are all sinners because we all die. Death is two fold. There is physical death, and there is also spiritual death. All people have a sentence of death upon them because of sin.

When Yeshua died, He paid that price. Not only did He pay the price of sin, but at the same time He provided life for us by giving to us the same Spirit that raised Him from the dead. The way the Spirit is appropriated is by an old English word that you hear even today: “I reckon so.” This is what Paul said, “reckon that it is true.” We must rely on the fact that what Yeshua Messiah did, He did with each of us. He paid the price for my sin, and at the same time gave me His Spirit which is the spirit of life to raise me from the dead.

Faith, which is active, demands that I continue to rest in that blessed assurance. That is the joy of salvation that makes us glad that Yeshua Messiah died for our sin, and has given to us His Spirit to assure and guarantee our resurrection and eternal life. That is the joy of the Holy Ghost. He that hath the Son hath life. If our faith is in Yeshua Messiah, we may look ragged; but, we are really alive!

When the apostle approaches chapter seven, he further explains a magnificent truth that we all experience. Sometimes we are able to communicate it, and identify it. There are other times we do not understand it. As a result of this study of chapter seven, some things will take shape that will signal a tremendous victory in our experience as Messianic believers.

The first point the apostle makes is this: “Don’t you know that the law has dominion over us?” Let’s look at this from the Jewish perspective first. The reason for circumcision sprang from the covenant relationship. As a people who believed G-d, the Jews agreed by covenant to keep the law. Since they entered into that covenant, it was by that covenant relationship that they depended upon righteousness.

We will learn later on that Shaul, as far as the letter of the law was concern, testified “I am without blame.” Shaul, the apostle, kept the law. He was a Pharisee and he did keep the letter of the law. That was his testimony, and yet when we hear what he is saying he is talking about the fact that he was tremendously guilty. This is a paradox or a contradiction. What was Shaul preaching? He was saying “First of all, I reckon what Messiah has done has taken care of the sin question as far as death is concerned. I am assured of life because I have received His Spirit. But now I face a problem. I have found that the law has dominion over me because I am still living in the flesh.”

[Rom 7:14] For we know that the law is spiritual:

This is what Shaul did not understand. He looked at the law as a legal instrument. He discovered when he came into relationship with Messiah that it is a spiritual instrument. Look at the rest of the verse.

[Rom 7:14] For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal,

What is another word for carnal? Flesh. The apostle said “The law is spiritual, but I am flesh, and I am sold under sin.” So Shaul returned to the reasoning “I have a sin nature, and sin is the master. Then the law was given, and I am under the dominion of the law. I have found that the law is spiritual, but I am carnal.”

Shaul was bound by his relationship and knowledge of the law. Watch this carefully! Shaul began in verse two to explain a spiritual truth.

[Rom 7:2] For the woman which hath an husband is bound by the law to her husband so long as he liveth;
Shaul used this illustration. The apostle explains that a man and a woman are married, and they are in covenant relationship with one another. Shaul used the woman in his example, but it could be either a man or a woman. In this case, if the woman decides that she wants to marry someone else and her husband is still living, she has now committed adultery. The law declares her to be an adulteress, and this has broken the covenant.

. . . but if the husband be dead, she is loosed from the law of her husband.

If her husband is dead and she remarries, she is not an adulteress. Watch closely because Shaul used this illustration to explain our spiritual relationship.

The apostle explained: “Without my identification with Messiah, I was alive to the law. So I was bound by the law. The law brought me under condemnation. But, since I am dead by my reckoning and identification with Messiah, I am now no longer under the dominion of the law. I have a new master. The new master causes me to have a new understanding of the law. It is no longer a legal instrument. It is now a spiritual vehicle. The law is made alive by the Spirit of Messiah who applies the spirit of the law rather than the letter of the law. The letter of the law kills. The spirit of the law brings life.

Do we understand this? Do we understand that because of our relationship with the L-rd, the law serves a different task. Look in verse seven.

[Rom 7:7] What shall we say then? Is the law sin? G-d forbid. Nay, I had not known sin, but by the law: for I had not known coveting, except the law had said, Thou shalt not covet.

The question is, if the letter of the law kills, and I am to reckon myself dead so that the law has no dominion over me, and I am alive to Messiah and I look at the law as a spiritual instrument, what is the benefit of the law? The apostle said one of the benefits is that the law identifies what sin is. Shaul explained “I would not have know that I was not to covet had the law not said Thou shalt not covet.” There was no power in the law to keep Shaul from under the dominion of coveting. But the law did identify what the sin of coveting was.

The apostle said “Since my relationship with Messiah I am no longer under the dominion of the law. I am under the dominion of Messiah. The law guides me, but Messiah empowers me! So that instead of having condemnation I have victory.”

We experience that all the time in our life of faith in Messiah. It is impossible to be a born-again believer in Messiah Yeshua without experiencing this dilemma. All the time we are faced with the spiritual application of the law. The Holy Spirit does that. Yeshua used the example of sexuality. Yeshua said the law said you shalt not commit adultery. By the letter of the law, Shaul had not committed adultery. But when Shaul used it as an illustration for the spiritual application he quoted what Yeshua had to say. When we have lust in our heart and mind, we are guilty of breaking the law because the law is spiritual.

In the natural we cannot succeed with this dilemma. We have difficulty just keeping a relationship going between a husband and wife. If you extend it to a larger group, it will not take long until we discover how little we understand about love which must be understood from a spiritual perspective.

I have seen situations that you have to handle with asbestos gloves at times among church people who claim to know something about love. All you have to do is stumble, make an error or miss the mark, and in many cases you will be enveloped in animosity, hatred, resentment and bitterness. Have you encountered people who speak words of love with their mouth, but their actions are mean?

It is possible to go through the mechanics, and say “I love you.” Be careful of those who say it so quickly! They may be the very ones who will seek to destroy you if you do not do exactly what they think you ought to do. Is this making sense?

The L-rd wants us to recognize that the law identifies what the wrong is. Then when the Spirit of Messiah is infused into the law, it makes us respond to the law not as under its dominion but under the dominion of the Spirit of Messiah. Do you see the difference? If you do, we will see how important it is to stay sensitive to the Holy Spirit. Somebody might say “Oh, you throw away the law!” No, you do not! You cannot be a believer in Messiah Yeshua and throw the law away. But you do not obtain righteousness by the letter of the law. Righteousness is obtained by your relationship with Messiah.

We are divorced from the law because we are dead to sin, but we are married to Messiah because He made us alive. That is one of the privileges of being baptized in water. Water baptism is a covenant sign of a spiritual relationship. Every believer, who has received Messiah as savior, needs to be baptized in water. This baptism should not take place in private. It should take place in a public service where other believers can bear witness that it took place.

[Rom 7:14] For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin.
[Rom 7:15] For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I.
[Rom 7:16] If then I do that which I would not, I consent unto the law that it is good.
[Rom 7:17] Now then it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me.
[Rom 7:18] For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not.
[Rom 7:19] For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do.
[Rom 7:20] Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me.
[Rom 7:21] I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me.
[Rom 7:22] For I delight in the law of G-d after the inward man:
[Rom 7:23] But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members.

Watch carefully! The apostle is now explaining that he understands that his relationship and his identification with Messiah makes him righteous. He understands the importance of the law to identify sin. He recognizes that the law must be spiritually applied, and not be treated legalistically. Then Shaul says “I discovered something else. I discovered that I have a body which still reacts to what it was taught by sin.”

If you don't know that you have a body which still reacts to what sin taught you, you are in deep trouble. Here is a body with members - ears, hands, nose, and mouth. Sin has controlled it. Sin has taught it. Sin has had dominion over it. Sin has worked in it. Death is working in it. Then I have a spiritual impartation which affects my mind. It gives me the desire not to do what the flesh, the world, and the devil tells me to do.

Now I have a conflict. I have a sin nature that should be reckoned dead continually. Then I have a divine nature that says I must walk after the spirit of the law. These two natures clash and conflict all the time.

That is the reason some folks will never be a true believer in Messiah Yeshua, because they do not have the strength of character to be one! You have to be a strong man or woman to really be a true believer in Messiah Yeshua. You do not want the hassle. You want to do whatever your flesh dictates to you. You are just living out there and say “Oh, I do not want to be one of them! They are weak!” Don’t you believe it! You are the weak one! Somebody might say “You are making me angry!” Only if you are not really a true believer in Messiah Yeshua!

This is a battle! I wake up with it every morning, don’t you? I fight it all day long. I know what the law says because I have the lawmaker living within me. Let me give you the whole law, all 10, or all 613, or all the thousands if you are trying to be a good Pharisee. Here is the whole law in one simple question. What would Yeshua do? Honestly ask and answer that question. Do what Yeshua would do. You will start keeping the law and stop sinning. Do you know Him well enough to know what He would do? When we get to chapter eight, it will be pointed out clearly that the lawmaker is in us! We do not even have to commit the act to have the battle, all we have to do is think about it! Have you ever had G-d to get on your case when you just thought about it?

So Shaul talked about the struggle. I make up my mind that I am going to be in control over the flesh. I am not going to let it dominate me. The law has been given to let me know whether or not I am dominated. But we do not go far until we break our own resolution. I am not going to do this, and then I do it! Then I am miserable, and I say “O L-rd, forgive me. Help me.”

Then the L-rd says, “I forgive you, but I am going to run you back through that test again.” There have been some tests I have run through many times, and keep flunking them. The L-rd lets me flunk only so long, and then He corrects. Have you ever been corrected? Not punished! G-d does not punish us. All of the punishment was put upon Messiah at Calvary.

G-d does not punish His children, and neither should you! A parent should not punish a child, but discipline. There is a difference! Sometimes we punish in order to satisfy our own emotion. We discipline in order to train. That is the way the Father is! G-d does not punish me! He does not threaten to knock my head off if I do something that is not pleasing. No, but He exerts loving pressure on us so that we can be turned in the right direction. For whom the L-rd loveth, He also chasteneth.

[Rom 7:18] For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing:

There is nothing really good about your flesh. I do not care how you adorn it, it is still flesh and there is no good thing in it. Look at verse twenty four, and listen to what the apostle cries out in this dilemma.

[Rom 7:24] O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?

The apostle sees this conflict. He cries out “Oh, the pressure and stress! The confusion! I have inside me the desire to do, but the flesh says do not do!” The battle is continuous. Finally, in that conflict, the apostle cries “Oh, what a wretched man I am!”

[Rom 7:25] I thank G-d through Yeshua Messiah our L-rd. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of G-d; but with the flesh the law of sin.

It is too bad the chapter ends here because we tend to think that the thought is over when we reach the end of the chapter. That is not the case. Forget there is a chapter division! The apostle moves on.

Romans Chapter 8

[Rom 8:1] There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Messiah Yeshua

Watch this! Let’s recognize the sin! Let’s recognize what Messiah has done! Let’s recognize the conflict and battle! If you miss everything else, do not miss this! Recognize the battle in the mind, spirit, and body! When I recognize it, I cry out “Oh, what a mess!” But do not forget this, because of Messiah there is no condemnation. You are free! Quit condemning yourself. You are free from condemnation in Messiah.

Are you getting this? Sure, you have the battle! Saints, let’s get off of one another’s backs! Quit pointing at someone else! One skunk should never say to another skunk “You stink!” Someone might say “I have a license?” Let’s wait to see if that is the case. Know this: You may be in the heat of the battle, but there is no condemnation to those who are in Messiah Yeshua. Let’s let the Sanctifier do His work in each of us because He knows us.

The thing that wrenches my guts is to see how quickly that we who are brothers and sisters can pounce on someone in the midst of their battle of the flesh, the world, and the devil! We are so prone to write them off and say “That is the end of you! “ It would be better to be an encourager and say “Stay in Messiah, and He will work out His righteousness in us by the power of the Holy Ghost!” We drive people away! We ought to encourage one another! We ought to say “Come on! You are going to make it! G-d is going to do it!” We have fought homosexuals so much that they will not come to church. They are the very ones who ought to come to church! But we are so self-righteous that the very people we ought to be ministering to are scared of us.

Somebody might say, “ You preach grace too much!” But I would rather stand at the throne some day, and have G-d to say well done rather than have G-d say “You have been a harsh judge, and I am going to judge you by the way you have judged.” Are you glad there is no condemnation to them who are in Messiah Yeshua? OR, are you glad you know the law so well that you can judge anyone?

He who has begun a work in us will complete it! He who has saved us will sanctify us, and one day glorify us! Now are you ready to rejoice? I have been anticipating the time when we came to the eighth chapter. Listen to what the apostle says.

[Rom 7:25] I thank G-d through Yeshua Messiah our L-rd. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of G-d; but with the flesh the law of sin.
[Rom 8:1] There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Messiah Yeshua, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

Here the apostle introduces a new law. It is the law of the spirit of life in Messiah Yeshua.

[Rom 8:2] For the law of the Spirit of life in Messiah Yeshua hath made me free from the law of sin and death.
[Rom 8:3] For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, G-d sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh:
[Rom 8:4] That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

This is the introduction of the Holy Spirit into this entire situation. The Holy Spirit is only mentioned once in the proceeding seven chapters. In Chapter 8 where the ministry and power of the Holy Spirit in the life of the believer is introduced, the Holy Spirit is mentioned nineteen times.

We must know the importance of having the Holy Spirit living in us. This is the point at which most Gnostic heretics and cults go off the deep end. Let me make clear that I am not talking about experience. This has nothing to do with the Baptism of the Holy Spirit. There is not one reference in Romans chapter eight to the Baptism of the Holy Spirit. I will contend with those who say that the reference to the groaning of the Holy Spirit found in the latter part of the chapter refers to the Baptism of the Holy Spirit. This is a relationship every believer has with Messiah whether you believe in the Baptism of the Holy Spirit or not.

We are not talking about experience. We are talking about a relationship. How many have received the Holy Spirit into your life? He has come to live in you. In verse two, we find the Holy Spirit is the spirit of life. Because of sin, I have in me a spirit of death. Do you know that the spirit of life is more powerful than the spirit of death?

It is easy to prove. Because of sin death came, but because of Messiah resurrection came. So I am not going to get eternal life, I already have eternal life. You say “How do you know?” I know because I have received the Spirit of life in me, who is the Holy Spirit or the spirit of Messiah living in us. It makes no difference what church you attend, or how you worship! It makes no difference if you are loud like a Pentecostal or quiet like the Quakers. If you have the Spirit of Messiah living within, you have the Spirit of life!

We all have different personalities and different emotions. We have different ways of enjoying things. All of those things are peripheral. The important thing is to know we have received the Spirit of Messiah!

When we have received Him, He is the Spirit of life that is more powerful than death which works within me. When sin is done the ultimate it is death! When the Holy Spirit has done the ultimate, He raises us from the dead.

Watch this! It gets better!

[Rom 8:5] 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.
[Rom 8:6] For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.
[Rom 8:7] Because the carnal mind is enmity against G-d: for it is not subject to the law of G-d, neither indeed can be.

This whole battle moves to a new dimension. It moves upward to my thinking. I have a carnal mind. That means a flesh mind because sin works in my flesh. This carnal mind triggers everything else. It starts thinking things. You would not believe some of the things I think.

I have been praying, and while I was praying suddenly I remembered the punch line to a dirty joke that I heard when I was a teenager! And I thought “L-rd, have mercy! Where did that come from?” I did not meditate that. I did not want to entertain it. I was moving in another direction when all of a sudden this carnal mind which does not want to submit to the Holy Spirit reared its head, and tried to take dominion!

If that was the end of it, you would say “You are hopeless!” But that is not the end! The Holy Spirit is there, and the moment that happens the Holy Spirit slams the brakes on! The Holy Spirit says “No! I want you to be spiritually minded!” Someone might ask “How am I going to get rid of that carnal mind?”

I will tell you how! By replacing it with a spiritual mind. By saying “I reject this!” The Holy Spirit knows that process is going on. As long as we walk after the Spirit we are free from condemnation, and He will lead us step by step into deliverance!

I wish I could tell you that it was instantaneous in every case. I have it, I think. I am on top of it, I think. I’ve got the victory for a period of time but then it’s back. The Holy Spirit says “I know. If you do not correct it, I will have to spank you!” I say, “L-rd, I do not want to be spanked. L-rd, help me.”

Each time I fail I do not get weaker. Each time I fail when I stay connected to G-d I get stronger. I am growing from babyhood to adulthood. We MUST start PRAYING instead of PREYING for people who have struggles in certain areas of the flesh. “I thought they were a Christian!” Sure, they are a Christian! Just give G-d a chance to work on them. The L-rd would have us praying for them. Instead how often do we prey on them. Look how long it took to work on you! Can you say amen?

So the Holy Spirit has put a power in us. Listen, and I will give you my understanding of divine healing. One of the manifestations that the Holy Spirit is more powerful than the law of sin and death is that He touches us with healing power just to let us know that He is stronger than death which works in us!

[Rom 8:8] So then they that are in the flesh cannot please G-d.
[Rom 8:9] But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of G-d dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Messiah, he is none of his.

What is the real victory? The real victory is one thing. I know I have the Spirit of G-d dwelling in me, and while all of this battle and struggle is going on I hold on to this one dynamic truth. The Spirit of G-d dwells in me!

I want to jump over to verse sixteen.

[Rom 8:16] The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of G-d:

So all the time this struggle and conflict is going on, if I will live by the law of faith and declare that G-d dwells in me the Spirit of G-d will bear witness with my spirit in the midst of my weakness! He will bear witness that I am a child of G-d, and that He has not kicked me out of the family. He will bear witness that He loves me. He will continue His sanctifying work. All I have to do is stay connected to Him.

So when you are messed up and feel so low, for Messiah’s sake get back up, and say “L-rd Yeshua Messiah, You live in me! Work out your pleasure! Your Spirit bears witness with my spirit that I am a child of G-d!” It is none of the devil’s business, and the Holy Spirit will continue His gracious work. The Holy Spirit will continue to sanctify us, and deal with us.

I wish I could say the first time the Holy Spirit said “Don’t!” to me I would just quit, and let that be it! But some things I have struggled with a long time. Some things I look back and say “L-rd, I did not think it was making a difference. But now I look back and see where you have brought me from.” You see, we are to grow in the knowledge and grace of the L-rd. It is a process. We do not reach perfection over night. It is a struggle! Some of us may fall short in the struggle and when we see it we throw up our hands in despair, and say “That’s it!” We write some people off, and say “Oh, they are a phony!” If you were in the same battle they are in you would not say they were a phony. You would say “L-rd, help me!”

Look at this.

[Rom 8:9] But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of G-d dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Messiah, he is none of his.
[Rom 8:10] And if Messiah be in you, the body is dead because of sin;

The apostle is talking about the sin nature. If Messiah is in us, then I reckon the sin nature is dead.

[Rom 8:10] And if Messiah be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness.
[Rom 8:11] But if the Spirit of him that raised up Yeshua from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Messiah from the dead shall also give life to your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.

The Holy Spirit is called the Spirit. He is called the Spirit of Life. When we have Him we have life. He is called the Spirit of G-d. It is the Holy Spirit as the Spirit of G-d who makes us know that we are the children of G-d. The Spirit of G-d leads us and guides us.

I am going to say something that I know could be taken out of context. But if we would recognize who the Spirit is within us, we would need little worldly counsel. I am not negatively reacting against counseling. I am simply saying that the Spirit of G-d has promised to lead us and direct us. If we were sensitive to the Holy Spirit, we most probably would not need to hear from anyone else. I worry about those folks who say they have a word for me, and they do not have any for themselves! Be careful when people say "I have a word for you from the L-rd." If you do not know what they are talking about, throw it away! If they do have a word for you, it will be a confirmation of what G-d has already said to you. If it does not confirm what has already been said, there is no need to pay attention to it.

We are talking about the third Person of the Trinity: the Holy Spirit. Paul addressed Him as the Spirit, the Spirit of life, and the Spirit of G-d. Then in verse nine He is called the Spirit of Messiah. The Spirit is not only the Spirit of G-d, He is also the Spirit of Messiah. That is the reason we can have Messiah in us because the Holy Spirit is the Spirit of Messiah. The Spirit of Messiah is in me, and it is the same Spirit that raised Messiah from the dead! Think of it! The same Spirit that raised Messiah from the dead, the Spirit of Messiah is a resurrection, life-giving Spirit!

Listen carefully! How many have ever been to a political or secular gathering where someone was asked to pray, and the first thing they did was to avoid praying in the Name of Yeshua? Did you ever wonder who they are praying to? Some omnipotent Being somewhere out there? I am a Messianic believer. I do not know how to pray in any other name! If it offends you to pray in the Name of Yeshua, do not call on me to pray!

The reason someone prays to the Almighty, Omnipotent G-d of the Atmosphere is because they have not received the Spirit of adoption. The Spirit of adoption is an assurance to us that we are the children of G-d. Therefore, G-d is our heavenly Father. So, when I pray, I say "Abba Father. My Father! My wonderful eternal Father!" He is my Father because Yeshua is my Savior. So if I have not received Yeshua as my Savior, I have not received the Spirit of adoption, and I do not know G-d as my Father. So G-d is an almighty potentate some place.

The apostle says that the victory we have when we are in a struggle, our sin nature has been taken care of by the death of Yeshua Messiah. When Yeshua died, He did not die for our sins, our actions. He died for our condition. I am glad He died for the sin of the world. All that is lacking is for us to appropriate what He has provided. It is free gift! We can have it. All we have to do is take it. Whosoever will!

The Apostle Paul proclaimed that G-d has not only taken care of the sin nature, but G-d has sent to us the Spirit, the Spirit of life, the Spirit of G-d, the Spirit of adoption, the Spirit of Messiah so we can have victory in this earthly house of clay that gives us more trouble than we can shake a stick at! The only persons I know in recent days who has no problem with the flesh are those in the cemetery! So let's don't get fouled up and over emphasize an experience called the Baptism. I am not minimizing that. Every believer ought to receive the Baptism in the Holy Spirit. But it is more important that we have a relationship by, with, and through the Holy Spirit.

Without the ministry of the Holy Spirit that is impossible. No man can even come to the Father unless the Spirit of G-d draw him! It takes the Holy Spirit to convict us of sin. You cannot have faith without the Holy Spirit! Faith is produced by a promise. The promise of G-d plus the Spirit of G-d equals faith! So the Holy Spirit is the answer for everything we know in our relationship to G-d, and in our relationship to salvation.

That is the reason we need to bless the L-rd for the Spirit of G-d! Yeshua said "I go to the Father, and I will ask the father not to leave you comfortless. I will send Him. I have been with you, but when He comes He is going to live in you." We are more blessed than the disciples who walked shoulder to shoulder with Yeshua! They knew Him as a friend and partner, but you and I have Him living in us. Every place we go He is there!

Someone may say "I come to church to meet Him!" I don't come here to meet Him! I brought Him with me. And He is with you at work, at school, on the street! He is with you when you are doing good! He is with you when you are doing bad! He is with you when you are driving too fast! The angels get out, but the Holy Spirit stays there!

It happened this morning. I prayed “L-rd, I feel so dry! I feel empty. Please touch me.” The witness of the Holy Spirit was “You are my child. Whether you feel dry or not you are my child.” None of that is possible without the ministry of the Holy Ghost. No wonder of all of the towers of the cathedral of doctrine, the highest pinnacle is found in Romans chapter eight. It makes us know why Yeshua prayed the Father to send the Holy Spirit so that we could have a Comforter living within us.

How many of you would like the Holy Spirit to make Himself very real to you? More than ever before! Just ask in prayer - “L-rd, we want your precious Spirit to have preeminence in our lives. Help us to honor the Holy Ghost. Help us, L-rd, to be sensitive to You. Fill us with your Spirit so the name of Yeshua will be lifted up. We will be true witnesses and have the joy of the L-rd. I pray for your glory. Amen.”

37 Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.
38 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,
39 Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of G-d, which is in Messiah Yeshua our L-rd.

That is the Doctrine of Messiah!

This is my story, This is my song
Praising my Savior all the day long
This is my story, This is my song
Praising my Savior all the day long