Sin is still in control
In every case, if the good “we want to do “ we can’t do, then sin is still controlling us. Look at that verse 17 and verse 20 below. That passage of scripture is letting us know what the problem is, if we find ourselves in that situation; it’s sin that dwells in us that’s making us sin; indwelling sin.
Romans 7:15-20
15 For what I am doing, I do not understand. For what I will to do, that I do not practice; but what I hate, that I do. 16 If, then, I do what I will not to do, I agree with the law that it is good. 17 But now, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells in me. 18 For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh) nothing good dwells; for to will is present with me, but how to perform what is good I do not find. 19 For the good that I will to do, I do not do; but the evil I will not to do, that I practice. 20 Now if I do what I will not to do, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells in me. NKJV
Once we sin, we become a slave to sin for a period of time (Romans 6:16). During that period of time that we are a slave to sin, sin will control us for our destruction (Galatians 6:7-8), and make us do things that we will be ashamed of later (Romans 6:21). The end of those things is death.
Romans 7:15-20 is simply identifying the problem. If the good we want to do we can’t do, then it is indwelling sin that is making us sin. In other words, Romans 7:15-20 is telling us to recognize that sin is still controlling us. It’s not like a permanent condition.
You might be thinking that’s because we’re all under sin according to Romans 3:9 and Galatians 3:22. We were all under sin at one time, and all sin is common to man (1 Corinthians 10:13), but the book of Romans doesn’t end with chapter 3. Praise God
Not every Christian is still under sin’s control. In other words, indwelling sin doesn’t control every Christian in the world. Take a look at Romans 6:17-18.
Romans 6:17-18
17 But God be thanked that though you were slaves of sin, yet you obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine to which you were delivered. 18 And having been set free from sin, you became slaves of righteousness. NKJV
Some obey the doctrine and allow themselves to become slaves of righteousness to the point of being set free from sin’s control (verse 17 above), and that’s in this life-time (Galatians 1:4, 1 Peter 4:3). Look at Romans 6:22.
Romans 6:22
22 But now having been set free from sin, and having become slaves of God, you have your fruit to holiness, and the end, everlasting life. NKJV
Indwelling sin doesn’t control every Christian in this country. Some Christians allow themselves to become God’s slave, because without holiness, no one will see the Lord (Hebrews 12:14-15).
Show me a Christian who doesn’t want to become a slave to righteousness, or God’s slave, and I will show you a Christian who will never be totally set free from sin, and at this point some will even begin to use Romans 7 as an excuse rather than instruction because they won’t be able to see Romans 6:17-18 and 6:2. It will be taken from them (Mark 4:24-25).
Those who find their life lose it.
Matthew 16:24-25
24 Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. 25 For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it. NKJV
2 Corinthians 5:14-15
14 For the love of Christ compels us, because we judge thus: that if One died for all, then all died; 15 and He died for all, that those who live should live no longer for themselves, but for Him who died for them and rose again. NKJV
If the good we want to do we can’t do, but the evil we don’t want to do, that we practice, then without a doubt, indwelling sin is controlling us.
Why would indwelling sin still be controlling a Christians? It could be a number of things, from unbelief, to not living by faith, to being under the Law, to baptism, or it could be a combination of things. Some even love darkness (John 3:19-21).
Unbelief
All things are possible for those who believe (Mark 9:23), but those who do not believe that God has the power to do what He has promised won’t receive anything from the Lord (James 1:6-8). It’s just that simple. God is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think according to His power at work in us (Ephesians 3:20).
Think about this. The eyes of the LORD go back and forth throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is loyal to Him. (2 Chronicles 16:9)
He still searches hearts and minds (Revelation 2:23) and He knows the intent of the thoughts of our hearts (1 Chronicles 28:9)
In other words, he knows why we’re thinking what we are thinking. We don’t have to say anything. Before a word is on our tongue the Lord knows it (Psalm 139:4).
Every time we hear a scripture he knows if we believe it in our hearts. He knows if we are determined to believe His Word in our hearts or if we don’t believe, or just don’t care.
He knows, and He is the one who can rescue us from temptations and at the same time hold the unjust until the day of judgment.
2 Peter 2:9
9 then the Lord knows how to deliver the godly out of temptations and to reserve the unjust under punishment for the day of judgment, NKJV
When we come to that realization then we will begin to think about what we’re thinking about. In other words, we will begin to take our thoughts captive to make them obedient to Christ. That’s how we fight as Christians (2 Corinthians 10:3-5); Casting down imaginations, and everything that opposes the knowledge of God, found in the Word of God.
We wage the good warfare by having faith and a good conscience toward God (1 Timothy 1:18-19), and we made a pledge to do that through our baptism (1 Peter 3:21). That’s important because love comes from a pure heart, good conscience, sincere faith (1 Timothy 1:5).
We fight the good fight of faith, laying hold to eternal life (1 Timothy 6:12). If we don’t continue in our faith we won’t remain holy in His sight (Colossians 1:21-23), and we would be in danger of drawing back to perdition; the destruction of the soul (Hebrews 10:38-39).
So, not only have we got to hear and believe the Word of God (John 5:24), but we must keep a clear conscience toward the things we hear; believing them in our heart.
Believing is not a one time deal. With the heart we believe unto righteousness (Romans 10:10), and we believe God in the same way that Abraham believed God (Romans 4:21-24).
That’s why we are imputed righteousness. If we do not believe God as Abraham believed God then we are not imputed righteousness, and our sins are not covered (Romans 4:3-8).
Baptismal responsibilities
One of the reasons why indwelling sin could still be controlling us is because we haven’t been baptized into Christ’s death. Even if you’ve already been baptized listen up. Read the following passage out loud.
Romans 6:1-4
1 What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound? 2 Certainly not! How shall we who died to sin live any longer in it? 3 Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? 4 Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. NKJV
We were baptized into Christ’s death so that just as Christ was raised from the dead, we too should walk in newness of life. That’s “should” walk in newness of life. We may decide not to walk that way, like millions of Christians today, who never mention these verses on baptism. So, if you have already been baptized, now make up your mind to die with Christ in accordance with the scriptures.
In other words, just like Jesus, we agreed to die to sin through our Baptism (Romans 6:10-12). Take a good look at those scriptures, and only believe them in your heart.
Romans 6:11-12
11 Likewise you also, reckon yourselves to be dead indeed to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus our Lord. 12 Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body, that you should obey it in its lusts. NKJV
It’s our responsibility to consider ourselves as dead to sin but alive to God, and to stop allowing sin to reign in our mortal bodies. Therefore, when you walk into a place called church and hear statements against that passage of scripture, then you will know that house is full of unbelief, and those people have rejected their baptismal vows.
Through our baptism we have the ability to live the new life (Romans 6:4 above), but that doesn’t mean we will live the new life, or that we are forced to live it. However, if you don’t have that ability, then get baptized. If you’ve already been baptized into Christ then repent of the past and believe the Word of God in your heart, and distance yourself from unbelievers, who have a form of godliness but deny its power (2 Timothy 3:1-5). A little leaven leavens the whole lump (1 Corinthians 5:6, Galatians 5:9).
One of the reasons we get baptized is so that that the body of sin might be done away with (Romans 6:6 below). Christians are putting off the body of sin so that we won’t be slaves to sin any more, since those who have died with Christ, have been set free from sin’s control (verse 7 below).
Romans 6:5-7
5 For if we have been united together in the likeness of His death, certainly we also shall be in the likeness of His resurrection, 6 knowing this, that our old man was crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves of sin. 7 For he who has died has been freed from sin. NKJV
If we die with Christ through our Baptism we are set free from sin, meaning set free from sin’s control (Romans 6:7 above). Whose responsibility is that?
So if the good you want to do you can’t do, and you have already been baptized in Christ, then never use Romans 7:15-20 in such a way as to say that it is okay to sin. If you have already, then repent of the past and start over, but this time do it according to the Word of God.
If you have not been baptized yet, or you have been told that we don’t have to get baptized, then know that those who do not get baptized will not accept God’s will for their life (Luke 7:29-30).
Why is that important? Because according to Jesus Christ, we have to do God’s will in order to be able to enter the Kingdom of Heaven (Matthew 7:21). Check it.
Recon yourself as dead to sin but alive to God (Romans 6:11), and obey the doctrine by becoming a slave to righteous acts (Romans 6:17-18 above). Romans 6:13 (below) instructs us to offer our body parts (members) to God as instruments of righteousness, just as we offered them to sin in the past.
Romans 6:13-14
13 And do not present your members as instruments of unrighteousness to sin, but present yourselves to God as being alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness to God. 14 For sin shall not have dominion over you, for you are not under law but under grace. NKJV
I would do a word search on all of the scriptures in your Bible containing the words baptism, baptized, etc. I think there are about 50 or so, and I would read over them yourself because I haven’t found one denomination that preaches all of them. I’m just telling you the truth. One denomination preaches 10 verses over here on baptism and another denomination is preaching a different set of 10 verses, but none of them mention Romans 6:1-18.
Die to the Laws of Moses
This brings up my next point. Take another look at verse 14 above. Sin will always have dominion over those who remain under the Laws of Moses; always (Romans 6:14 above). That could be another reason why the good you want to do, you can’t do.
That means, no one who remains under the Laws of Moses will be able to stop sinning. Why? Sinful passions are aroused by what the Law makes sin (verse 5 below).
Romans 7:4-6
4 Therefore, my brethren, you also have become dead to the law through the body of Christ, that you may be married to another—to Him who was raised from the dead, that we should bear fruit to God. 5 For when we were in the flesh, the sinful passions which were aroused by the law were at work in our members to bear fruit to death. 6 But now we have been delivered from the law, having died to what we were held by, so that we should serve in the newness of the Spirit and not in the oldness of the letter. NKJV
The strength of sin is the Law (1 Corinthians 15:56), but apart from the Law, sin is dead (Romans 7:8). Therefore, we have to die to the Law of Moses in order to get off from under sin’s control and serve in the new way of the Spirit (verse 6 above).
So, we could have a Christian, who has been baptized into Christ’s death, and offering his body parts to God as instruments of righteousness, but he is still under sin because rather than serving God with his mind (Romans 7:25), he continues to serve God through the Laws of Moses.
He may be tithing according to the Law, or abstaining from certain foods as the Laws of Moses requires, or any number of ordinances contained in the Law, but either way he is still under the Law, because the man who does those things is required to live by them.
Romans 10:5
5 For Moses writes about the righteousness which is of the law, “The man who does those things shall live by them.” NKJV
Galatians 3:11-12
11 But that no one is justified by the law in the sight of God is evident, for “the just shall live by faith.” 12 Yet the law is not of faith, but “the man who does them shall live by them.” NKJV
The victory is through faith in Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 15:57), and faith in Jesus will express itself through love (Galatians 5:6), and love is the fulfillment of the Law (Galatians 5:13-15, Romans 13:8-10). Christ redeemed us from the curse of the Law that the blessing of Abraham might come upon the Gentiles, so that we would receive the promise of the Spirit thru faith (Galatians 3:13-14).
The Law is not of faith (verse 12 above). Therefore, if you are living by the Laws of Moses, you are not living by faith in Jesus Christ, because the New Covenant is not according to the Old Covenant (Hebrews 8:7-9). The law has changed.
Hebrews 7:12
12 For the priesthood being changed, of necessity there is also a change of the law. NKJV
Jesus Christ is now our High Priest forever (Hebrews 3:1, 5:10), and He is the Mediator of a better covenant, built on better promises, making the Old Covenant obsolete.
Hebrews 8:6
6 But now He has obtained a more excellent ministry, inasmuch as He is also Mediator of a better covenant, which was established on better promises. NKJV
Hebrews 8:13
13 In that He says, “ A new covenant,” He has made the first obsolete. Now what is becoming obsolete and growing old is ready to vanish away. NKJV
We don’t make the Law void through faith (Romans 3:31), but through the Law we die to the Law (verse 19 below), and fulfill it through faith in Jesus Christ, who commanded us to love one another (John 13:34-35). Love is the fulfillment of the Law (Romans 13:8-10, Galatians 5:13-15).
Galatians 2:19-21
19 For I through the law died to the law that I might live to God. 20 I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me. 21 I do not set aside the grace of God; for if righteousness comes through the law, then Christ died in vain.” NKJV
So we die to the Laws of Moses in order that we can serve in the new way of the Spirit, and if we allow ourselves to be lead by the Spirit, we are no longer under the Laws of Moses (Galatians 5:18).
Galatians 5:18
18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. NKJV
We can’t just die to the Law without allowing ourselves to be lead by the Spirit because it’s the law of the Spirit that sets us free from the law of sin and death (Romans 8:2). So, if a Christian dies to the Laws of Moses, and has no desire to fulfill the Law through love, then he will soon be subject to the curses associated with disobeying the Laws of Moses (Deuteronomy 28:15-68), which includes all kinds of sickness and diseases.
That’s because the Laws of Moses does not go anywhere until all is fulfilled (Matthew 5:17-19). Righteousness is still a required (Matthew 5:20), and the righteous requirements of the Law will only be met in the Christians who walk according to the Spirit and not in Christians who walk according to the flesh (Romans 8:4).
All of the newer Bibles have cut the end of Romans 8:1 off, as if it is not true, but as you can see it can still be proven without actually using that verse, even in the Bibles that have cut it off.
Romans 8:1
1 There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. NKJV
The bottom line is that if we are not fulfilling the Law through the Spirit, walking in the Spirit, and eagerly waiting for our hope of righteousness through faith (Galatians 5:5), then we will soon be subject to the Law’s curses for disobedience, because we will not be living by faith.
If we were living by faith, then we would walk according to the Spirit, by keeping our mind set on the things above and not on the things of this world (Romans 8:5-8). In doing so we would display the fruits of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23), which in turn would fulfill the Law.
In this way the righteous requirements of the Law are met in those who walk according to the Spirit (Romans 8:4), but to be worldly minded is death (Romans 8:6). Enemies of the cross of Christ keep their mind set on the things of this world (Philippians 3:18-19, Matthew 16:23). Their end is destruction.
We were imputed righteousness because we believed God as Abraham believed God (Romans 4:21-24), but we have to continue in our faith in order to remain holy in God’s sight (Colossians 1:21-23). Those who try to be justified by remaining under parts of the Laws of Moses will soon fall away from grace, and become obligated to keep the whole Law (Galatians 5:3-4).
If we could keep the whole Law we would be righteous (Romans 2:13), but one one could (Romans 3:10), and that’s why the Bible says “but now” in Romans 3:21 below.
Romans 3:21-22
21 But now the righteousness of God apart from the law is revealed, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, 22 even the righteousness of God, through faith in Jesus Christ, to all and on all who believe. For there is no difference; NKJV
This new way of obtaining righteousness, is the only way to be righteous by faith, and it only comes to those who have faith in Jesus Christ and believe.
Now you should be able to see how important faith in Jesus Christ and believing is. No one who does not have faith in Jesus Christ and believe God will be righteous by faith. Even Jesus tells us to seek God’s Kingdom and His righteousness first place in our life.
Matthew 6:33
33 But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. NKJV
We’re not seeking the righteousness which is by the Law (Romans 9:31-32, 10:5), self righteousness (Philippians 3:9), but the righteousness of faith (Romans 9:30, Romans 10:6-8). God’s righteousness comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe (Romans 3:21-22), and so we live by faith in Jesus.
Therefore, we die to the Laws of Moses, because we cannot possibly be righteous through the Law (Galatians 2:21), and we submit to the righteousness of God, which is through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe.
Romans 10:3-4
3 For they being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and seeking to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted to the righteousness of God. 4 For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes. NKJV
Where the Spirit of the Lord is there is freedom from the Laws of Moses (2 Corinthians 3:17), and we are called to be free from the Law (Galatians 5:13-15).
The bottom line is that if a person wants to do good but they cannot do the good they want to do (Romans 7:19-20) then sin is still controlling them because they serve sin in some way that is perhaps even unknown to that person because darkness blinds us John 12:35-36. That’s why it is important to abide in the Word until we know the truth and we are set free from being a slave to sin John 8:31-35
Faith in Jesus Christ
If the good we want to do we can’t do, but the evil we don’t want to do, that we practice then it could be because we are not living by faith in Jesus Christ.
What does faith in Jesus Christ look like? The biggest part of faith in Jesus Christ that most of us get wrong is loving one another. The reason I say it’s the biggest part is because if we do not get that right, then we operate in the flesh, because the only way to abide in Jesus’s love is to obey Jesus commands (John 15:9-10), and apart from abiding in Jesus we can do nothing (John 15:4).
John 15:8-10
8 By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples. 9 “As the Father loved Me, I also have loved you; abide in My love. 10 If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love. NKJV
Jesus commanded us to love one another. If we don’t get that right, then we can forget about anything else because without love we are absolutely nothing in the faith (1 Corinthians 13:1-3).
John 13:34-35
34 A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. 35 By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” NKJV
This is not the touchy feely love of this world, since we don’t love in word or tongue but in actions and in truth (verse 18 below).
1 John 3:17-19
17 But whoever has this world’s goods, and sees his brother in need, and shuts up his heart from him, how does the love of God abide in him? 18 My little children, let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth. 19 And by this we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before Him. NKJV
The love that faith in Jesus Christ is going to produce in us is helping our brother in need (verse 17 above). Jesus’ brothers and sisters are those who do the will of God (Mark 3:35).
If we have this world’s goods, and see our brother in need, we should have pity on him and help him, much like the parable of the good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37).
That’s how we know that we belong to the truth (verse 19 above).
We help everybody, but we are especially looking to help those who are of the household of faith (verse 10 below), Jesus’ brothers and sisters.
Galatians 6:9-10
9 And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. 10 Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith. NKJV
I want to make sure that you understand that we’re not helping people in need in order to get saved. We’re not saved by works of faith., but we are doing works of faith because we are saved (verse 10 below). Saved people do good works of faith. Check it.
Ephesians 2:8-10
8 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, 9 not of works, lest anyone should boast. 10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them. NKJV
God prepared good works for us to do in advance (verse 10 above), after we were saved (verse 8 above). So don’t be deceived by those who say that we are working for our salvation. No, we are already saved, but we are working out our salvation with fear and trembling.
Philippians 2:12
12 Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; NKJV
Good works go hand and hand with salvation, and it’s a part of God’s will that we do good (1 Peter 2:15), even in the face of suffering (1 Peter 3:17).
Hebrews 6:9-12
9 But, beloved, we are confident of better things concerning you, yes, things that accompany salvation, though we speak in this manner. 10 For God is not unjust to forget your work and labor of love which you have shown toward His name, in that you have ministered to the saints, and do minister. 11 And we desire that each one of you show the same diligence to the full assurance of hope until the end, 12 that you do not become sluggish, but imitate those who through faith and patience inherit the promises. NKJV
In fact the Bible instructs us to maintain good works so that we will not be unfruitful. Learn these next two verses for yourself, because you will probably never hear them.
Titus 3:8
8 This is a faithful saying, and these things I want you to affirm constantly, that those who have believed in God should be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable to men. NKJV
Titus 3:14
14 And let our people also learn to maintain good works, to meet urgent needs, that they may not be unfruitful. NKJV
I wanted to show you these verses on good works so that no one would deceive you. There are millions of Christians who do not live by faith in Jesus Christ, but their faith is in a man or a denomination. They tithe to buildings that feed no one and house no one.
They collect the tithe in keeping with the Laws of Moses because they always go to Malachi 3, but they do not spend the tithe in keeping with Moses, since the tithe according to Moses was always food (Deuteronomy 14:23-26). In the Bible, the church buildings (temples) were never built with tithes, but only with offerings.
Malachi 3:10
10 Bring all the tithes into the storehouse, That there may be food in My house, And try Me now in this,” Says the LORD of hosts, “If I will not open for you the windows of heaven And pour out for you such blessing That there will not be room enough to receive it. NKJV
No church building in the Bible was built with tithe money, and although the tithe could be exchanged into money if the journey was too far to take the food, it was always exchanged back into food, and always given as food (Deuteronomy 14:24-26. Every third year the whole tithe was given to the priest, the fatherless, the stranger and widows in that city (Deuteronomy 14:28-29).
However, because of greed most preachers have switched the tithe for offerings, and offerings for tithes. Therefore, if you want to help the needy, they will tell you to give an offering.
Their greediness has prevented them from obeying the Gospel since the proof that we obey the Gospel is that we are suppling the needs of the saints.
2 Corinthians 9:12-13
12 For the administration of this service not only supplies the needs of the saints, but also is abounding through many thanksgivings to God, 13 while, through the proof of this ministry, they glorify God for the obedience of your confession to the gospel of Christ, and for your liberal sharing with them and all men, NKJV
Even if we tithed according to Abraham, then we would give a tenth to the High Priest, just as he did (Genesis 14:20). Jesus Christ is now our High Priest (Hebrews 3:1, 5:10), and Jesus said whatever we do to the least of His brothers, we have done to Him (verse 40 below).
Matthew 25:35-40
35 for I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in; 36 I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me.’ 37 “Then the righteous will answer Him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You drink? 38 When did we see You a stranger and take You in, or naked and clothe You? 39 Or when did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?’ 40 And the King will answer and say to them, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.’ NKJV
So, if we tithe according to Abraham, we would give it directly to the least of Jesus brothers and sisters. There is no middle man when tithing according to Abraham.
The poor is feed in either situation, whether we tithe according to Moses or tithe according to Abraham, but tithing according to Abraham is according to faith, and Moses is according to Law.
However, those who collect the tithe today, do not spend it in accordance with Moses or Abraham, but they have invented their own rule in swapping offerings for tithes, and therefore, in their greed they have become lawless. Don’t be deceived into calling huge beautiful buildings built with God’s tithe money a blessing. No, it’s a curse built as a testimony against God and against the poor.
The righteous go free (Proverbs 10:2), but where will the lawless end up (Matthew 13:41-42)? Can one oppress the poor and be righteous (Psalm 112:9)? Will not God break in pieces the oppressor, and bring justice to the poor (Psalm 72:4)?
Isaiah 3:14
14 The LORD will enter into judgment With the elders of His people And His princes: “For you have eaten up the vineyard; The plunder of the poor is in your houses. NKJV
Isaiah 10:2-3
2 To rob the needy of justice, And to take what is right from the poor of My people, That widows may be their prey, And that they may rob the fatherless. 3 What will you do in the day of punishment, And in the desolation which will come from afar? To whom will you flee for help? And where will you leave your glory? NKJV
Proverbs 14:31
31 He who oppresses the poor reproaches his Maker, But he who honors Him has mercy on the needy. NKJV
Proverbs 21:13
13 Whoever shuts his ears to the cry of the poor Will also cry himself and not be heard. NKJV
Proverbs 22:22-23
22 Do not rob the poor because he is poor, Nor oppress the afflicted at the gate; 23 For the LORD will plead their cause, And plunder the soul of those who plunder them. NKJV
Proverbs 28:27
27 He who gives to the poor will not lack, But he who hides his eyes will have many curses. NKJV
Proverbs 29:7
7 The righteous considers the cause of the poor, But the wicked does not understand such knowledge. NKJV
The only thing that counts is faith in Jesus Christ, which will express itself through love (Galatians 5:6) Faith is shown by what we do; works of faith (James 2:18).
God’s righteousness comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe (Romans 3:21-22). We must have faith in Jesus Christ and we have to believe. We must especially love people of faith who are in need (Galatians 6:9-10).
When was that scripture fulfilled concerning Abraham (James 2:22-23). By works of faith, and not by works of the Law, but by works of faith, his faith was made perfect, and works of faith are according to grace (Romans 4:16). Grace itself will make us do the work (1 Corinthians 15:10).
I hope this teaching has helped you. Let us repent and return to the Lord our God in keeping with His ways found in His Word. I’m Alan Ballou; a servant.
