 Bishop Reginald Burrows, Ph.D. Today's message comes from the Epistle of Romans, written by the Apostle Paul. Paul addresses the church there at Rome with grave concern for their welfare. As we look at the scripture today, we see Paul's words of encouragement. Paul's intent, is to get the church to know their relationship with God. As we walk with God, we must know our position in him. It is important for every believer in Christ to have a good relationship with God and to be led by the Spirit of God. The Apostle Paul, in chapter seven at vss 15-25 uses himself as one who is dependent upon the Lord for the victory. He stated in vs 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. Paul realized that there is a war against the two natures (read 7:15-25), but concludes however, that victory is obtained through Jesus Christ our Lord. Until we get to heaven, we as children of God must always be aware that we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Paul goes on by telling us to put on the whole armour of God that we may be able to withstand the wiles (tricks) of the devil. Our scripture text is centered around vss 13 thru 15 in chapter 8. The Lord wants us to know and understand without Him we can do nothing but fail. Can A Dead Man Walk? Surely we must be recognizant and aware that we would all be failures if we had to rely on our own ability instead of the Lord. In God's plan, He allows us to be a part of His New Family through the Plan of Salvation. It is through this plan that we are adopted and can freely call Him Abba Father or in plain English, Father, Father. [AB ah] (father)-- an Aramaic word which corresponds to our "Daddy" or "Papa." It is found three times in the New Testament: in the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus prayed, "Abba, Father" (Mark 14:36); the Apostle Paul linked the Christian's cry of "Abba, Father" with the "spirit of adoption" (Romans 8:14); and, again, Paul writes, "Because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying out, 'Abba, Father!" (Galatians 4:6). What a blessed privilege it is to be given the right to call the great Creator, "Our Father"! The Apostle Paul in no way in his deliberation is referring to the child of God as to being blatantly carnal, but is making the church aware that we are not perfect beings. Too many times have the child of God been deceived as they begin their walk with God that they are a perfect being. We must know without a shadow of a doubt that we are striving for perfection. That perfect state will not be consummated until the day that our Lord Jesus returns for a church without spot, wrinkle or blemish. Until that day we must learn to lean on the everlasting arms of the Lord. God never leaves us hopeless. We are encouraged in His word in I Cor. 10:13 - There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able: but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it. The difference between the child of God and the world is; we have a God that is faithful to us, and will take care of His own. Remember, Jesus has declared that "upon this rock I will build my church.... That is a promise and we can stand on it. Can A Dead Man Walk? The answer my friend is we were all dead, but for us that knows Him, He has quickened and has shown us His rich mercy (see Ephesians 2:1-9). Thank God for His Grace... His Amazing Grace. May God continue to richly bless each of you is my prayer. Bishop Reginald Burrows, Ph.D. |
