What does a person bring on himself

Condemnation.

He brings condemnation on himself. He was walking in the light, in fellowship with his Father in Heaven. Then he went and partook of something he suspected was not pleasing to God.

He has broken his fellowship with God. Why did he do this?

Because there was something of the world he desired more than he desired fellowship with his Father in Heaven.

He immediately must confess what he has done to the Lord, resolve never to do it again, receive forgiveness and cleansing, draw near to God for His strength and fellowship, and sternly resist, through the help of the Spirit of God, the temptation to repeat the questionable behaviour.

Later, if he is shown that the particular behaviour is acceptable to God, he can resume practicing it; but only when the peace of God is present.

On occasion a conscientious believer is tormented by Satan concerning an action or relationship or thing that in actuality is not sin in the sight of God. The person who has a strong desire to please the Lord sometimes is drawn into a doubtful area.

The safest procedure is to give up the questionable practice or thing until the Lord makes it plain that there is no problem.

Numerous Christians live in condemnation because they are afraid God will take some thing or relationship from them. So they keep on with their life, hoping that God will accept them.

Living in fear and doubt is not of the Kingdom of God. The overcomer comes before the Lord and puts every relationship, every situation, every person, every activity, every thing including his own life on the altar of God. He gives it all to God.

As soon as he has given all to God it becomes true that all he possesses belongs to God and all God possesses belongs to him. From then on, God gives him what is best for him.

To submit all that we are and possess to God is to enter the death of the cross. Entering the death of the cross requires more faith and trust than most believers have. But until all goes to the cross the individual remains in his adamic state; and Adam cannot, under any circumstances, inherit the Kingdom of God.

To hold back anything from the Lord is to pave the way for spiritual weakness and defeat. There is no part of our personality that is exempt from the process of death and resurrection in Jesus.

We absolutely must hold up our physical body a living sacrifice to the Lord. If we do not, we are not a genuine Christian. We may be a church member, we may have taken the "four steps of salvation," but we are not a true Christian.

Back to Study for the book Romans

Back to Chapter Fourteen...