Author: petebeck3

Pete Beck III ministered as a pastor and Bible teacher in Burlington for over 35 years. He is married to Martha, with whom he has four children, ten beautiful grandchildren, and five amazing great grandchildren. He ministers in his local church as a Bible teacher and counselor. He has written several books, including two that are available on Amazon - Seeing God's Smile and Promise of the Father - as well as a wide variety of Bible-related articles.

The Mystery of Christ and the New Covenant

new covenant

A biblical mystery is something God has hidden that can only be seen or understood by revelation from the Holy Spirit.

The New Covenant is a mystery, a profound one, regarding our Lord Jesus Christ.

It is not some sort of new religion built upon a Jewish foundation, but is a radically “new and living way”  to relate to God (Hebrews 10:20). Rather than focusing on rules, rituals, or other externals usually associated with religious observance, the New Covenant is centered on a person, the risen and ascended Lord Jesus Christ.

In fact, in its essence, Jesus is the new covenant.

...I will appoint You as a covenant to the people, As a light to the nations, 7 To open blind eyes, To bring out prisoners from the dungeon And those who dwell in darkness from the prison. 8 “I am the LORD, that is My name; I will not give My glory to another, Nor My praise to graven images. 9 “Behold, the former things have come to pass, Now I declare new things; Before they spring forth I proclaim them to you.” Isaiah 42:6–9 (NASB95)

Faith in what he accomplished for us as God’s crucified Lamb and allegiance to him as the risen Lord of lords who will one day return to judge the world as the glorious Son of Man allows us to participate in this glorious covenant.

...if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved; 10 for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation. Romans 10:9–10 (NASB95)

From the beginning, God’s plan was for us to draw our life and all that we need from him. He wants us to pursue him because we value him above all. He delights in hiding himself and his truth so that we must seek him in order to properly know him. 

It is the glory of God to conceal a matter, But the glory of kings is to search out a matter. Proverbs 25:2 (NASB95)

At that time Jesus said, “I praise You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that You have hidden these things from the wise and intelligent and have revealed them to infants. 26 “Yes, Father, for this way was well-pleasing in Your sight. Matthew 11:25–26 (NASB95)

You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart. Jeremiah 29:13 (NASB95)

Paul expressed how important it is for us to avidly pursue the one who is unknowable without divine assistance.

But whatever things were gain to me, those things I have counted as loss for the sake of Christ. 8 More than that, I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them but rubbish so that I may gain Christ, Philippians 3:7–8 (NASB95)

Legalism, on the other hand, focuses on externals such as groups, rites, and rules that can be understood with the human mind and practiced with human effort.

Legalism is a logical derivation; whereas, the New Covenant requires revelation of that which is otherwise hidden in Christ.

The human mind always gravitates toward legalism because we are up to the task of understanding it. The wise and intelligent are usually the most gifted in explaining it. Those wanting some sense of stability and permanence gravitate toward it. But it never satisfies.

The spirit of man, the deepest part of our being, is drawn toward the revelation of Christ in all his glorious majesty and beauty.

Once God opens our hearts and minds to behold the glorious new covenant truth about Christ, we can do our best to explain it to others, but we always fall short since God will not allow anyone to come to him unless he personally draws us and reveals Christ to us.

No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him; and I will raise him up on the last day. 45 “It is written in the prophets, ‘AND THEY SHALL ALL BE TAUGHT OF GOD.’ Everyone who has heard and learned from the Father, comes to Me. John 6:44–45 (NASB95)

On the one hand this can be quite frustrating to us, but on the other hand it is very freeing. It means we are not personally responsible for the salvation of others. We share the message of the gospel, but only God can do the internal work that brings us to Christ.

God gave the apostle Paul the responsibility to “steward” the mystery of Christ which was revealed to him in a special way. 

For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for the sake of you Gentiles— 2 if indeed you have heard of the stewardship of God’s grace which was given to me for you; 3 that by revelation there was made known to me the mystery, as I wrote before in brief. 4 By referring to this, when you read you can understand my insight into the mystery of Christ, Ephesians 3:1–4 (NASB95)

The other apostles, who walked and talked with Jesus for three years, experienced the mystery of Christ first hand, as related by John.

What was from the beginning, what we have heard, what we have seen with our eyes, what we have looked at and touched with our hands, concerning the Word of Life— 2 and the life was manifested, and we have seen and testify and proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and was manifested to us— 3 what we have seen and heard we proclaim to you also, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father, and with His Son Jesus Christ. 4 These things we write, so that our joy may be made complete. 1 John 1:1–4 (NASB95)

Paul, on the other hand, knew Christ by revelation only, just as we must. He was privileged to have our Lord appear and speak to him audibly, but his insight into the mystery of Christ came by revelation from the Spirit of God.

For I would have you know, brethren, that the gospel which was preached by me is not according to man. 12 For I neither received it from man, nor was I taught it, but I received it through a revelation of Jesus Christ. Galatians 1:11–12 (NASB95)

Everyone who receives New Covenant revelation must be personally taught by God.

No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him; and I will raise him up on the last day. 45 “It is written in the prophets, ‘AND THEY SHALL ALL BE TAUGHT OF GOD.’ Everyone who has heard and learned from the Father, comes to Me. John 6:44–45 (NASB95)

As someone once said, God has no grandchildren. We do not get into God’s kingdom by being the child of another believer. We must be personally born again by the operation of God’s Spirit.

But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name, 13 who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God. John 1:12–13 (NASB95)

After we are born again, we begin a continuing journey of getting to know him better.

This also requires that we rely upon the Spirit of God. We must continue our faith journey in the same way we begin (Colossians 2:6), with complete reliance upon God to reveal more of himself to us.

This is the only thing I want to find out from you: did you receive the Spirit by the works of the Law, or by hearing with faith? 3 Are you so foolish? Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh? Galatians 3:2–3 (NASB95)

Paul wrote the above admonition to the church in Galatia, which fell victim to the legalism of those who were called Judaizers. The Judaizers told the mostly Gentile church in Galatia that to be good Christians they must become good Jews by practicing the rites and rituals of Judaism, most particularly male circumcision. These legalists had the Law on their side, which teaches that one cannot be part of God’s covenant people without being circumcised.

But an uncircumcised male who is not circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin, that person shall be cut off from his people; he has broken My covenant.” Genesis 17:14 (NASB95)

This was all very easy to understand and quite logical. Circumcision, according to the Law, was a permanent sign of the covenant. Since it was permanent, it must still be in effect. Enough said!

Nevertheless, part of the mystery of the New Covenant is that Christ has completely fulfilled and satisfied the requirements of the Law.

In the New Covenant circumcision still exists, but it is spiritual. The old covenant rite always pointed to something deeper which only became apparent in the new covenant. 

See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception, according to the tradition of men, according to the elementary principles of the world, rather than according to Christ. 9 For in Him all the fullness of Deity dwells in bodily form, 10 and in Him you have been made complete, and He is the head over all rule and authority; 11 and in Him you were also circumcised with a circumcision made without hands, in the removal of the body of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ; 12 having been buried with Him in baptism, in which you were also raised up with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead. 13 When you were dead in your transgressions and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He made you alive together with Him, having forgiven us all our transgressions, 14 having canceled out the certificate of debt consisting of decrees against us, which was hostile to us; and He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross. Colossians 2:8–14 (NASB95) 

The mystery of Christ in the new covenant is that the Law has been fulfilled by Christ so that all of God’s righteousness is now found in him alone.

Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ 9 and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness, which is from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith; Philippians 3:8–9 (NKJV)

The Law can never make anyone righteous because no one can keep it.

The only righteousness that is available is that which is found in Christ, which becomes ours when we put our faith and allegiance in him, something we cannot do unless God opens our eyes to see him for who he is.

Those who still hold to keeping rituals, feasts, dietary laws, and commandments as a way to gain and sustain a right standing with God have yet to have their spiritual eyes opened by God. The only thing that matters now is faith in our Lord Jesus, who has perfectly fulfilled every aspect of the Law on our behalf.

But now that you have come to know God, or rather to be known by God, how is it that you turn back again to the weak and worthless elemental things, to which you desire to be enslaved all over again? 10 You observe days and months and seasons and years. 11 I fear for you, that perhaps I have labored over you in vain. Galatians 4:9–11 (NASB95)

Anyone who reverts to keeping the Law in some fashion or another has either never been born again or has been deceived by legalism into departing from relating to God through faith and grace.

Those whose eyes have been opened by God to see Christ for who he is are completely satisfied in him and could never return to a barren form of religion.

Nevertheless, Satan seeks to beguile us into turning away from the glorious truth about Christ to embrace man-made religion all over again.

For I want you to know what a great conflict I have for you and those in Laodicea, and for as many as have not seen my face in the flesh, 2 that their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, and attaining to all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the knowledge of the mystery of God, both of the Father and of Christ, 3 in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. 4 Now this I say lest anyone should deceive you with persuasive words. 5 For though I am absent in the flesh, yet I am with you in spirit, rejoicing to see your good order and the steadfastness of your faith in Christ. 6 As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, 7 rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, as you have been taught, abounding in it with thanksgiving. 8 Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ. 9 For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily; 10 and you are complete in Him, who is the head of all principality and power. Colossians 2:1–10 (NKJV)

The mystery of Christ includes both Jew and Gentile, which was God’s eternal purpose, not some plan B, as taught by misguided Dispensationalists.

By referring to this, when you read you can understand my insight into the mystery of Christ, 5 which in other generations was not made known to the sons of men, as it has now been revealed to His holy apostles and prophets in the Spirit; 6 to be specific, that the Gentiles are fellow heirs and fellow members of the body, and fellow partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel, 7 of which I was made a minister, according to the gift of God’s grace which was given to me according to the working of His power. 8 To me, the very least of all saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unfathomable riches of Christ, 9 and to bring to light what is the administration of the mystery which for ages has been hidden in God who created all things; 10 so that the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known through the church to the rulers and the authorities in the heavenly places. 11 This was in accordance with the eternal purpose which He carried out in Christ Jesus our Lord, Ephesians 3:4–11 (NASB95)

The mystery of Christ is that the church is composed of people from every nation and ethnicity, which has always been God’s plan.

God used the nation of Israel to provide the humanity of the Christ who would save the world. The Lord came from the Jews, but saving the people of world has always been God’s heart. 

For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life. John 3:16 (NASB95)

Those who still think that the nation of Israel is the focus of God’s plan have yet to understand the New Covenant.

...to whom God willed to make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. 28 We proclaim Him, admonishing every man and teaching every man with all wisdom, so that we may present every man complete in Christ. 29 For this purpose also I labor, striving according to His power, which mightily works within me. Colossians 1:27–29 (NASB95)

God’s purpose is to obtain glory through the church, which is the spiritual body of Christ composed of Jews and Gentiles, for all eternity.

Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us, 21 to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen. Ephesians 3:20–21 (NASB95)

Those who think the church will recede into the background so that Israel can reemerge as the “apple of God’s eye” have yet to grasp the glorious mystery of the New Covenant.

...and have put on the new self who is being renewed to a true knowledge according to the image of the One who created him— 11 a renewal in which there is no distinction between Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave and freeman, but Christ is all, and in all. Colossians 3:10–11 (NASB95)

May God deliver us from every cunning deception of legalism and open our eyes to the glories of the mystery of our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.

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Exploring the Mystery of New Covenant Life

new covenant

Life under the New Covenant is a radical and mysterious departure from anything else we may have experienced. It is so wonderfully at odds with life under the Law that most of us find it difficult to grasp or believe. It is mysterious in the biblical sense in that we cannot understand it without revelation from the Holy Spirit. It literally seems to be too good to be true. As a result, many of us never experience its fullness but continue to live as if we are still under the law, vainly trying to earn or maintain a right standing with God through our performance. This always ends poorly. My hope is that what I have written here will help us to gain a greater understanding and experience of all that Christ died to provide for us.

If we were able through extreme dedication, self-denial, and will power to live a life that measures up to God’s standard of righteousness, Christ would not have had to die for our sins.

“I do not nullify the grace of God, for if righteousness comes through the Law, then Christ died needlessly.” Galatians 2:21 (NASB95)

But just as the unrighteous steward could not accept that his extreme debt to his master was fully forgiven, we still think we have a chance of finally getting it right, if we just try again a little harder. The longer we stay on the treadmill of self-effort, the more likely it is we will end up depressed, angry, or extremely deceived.

God gave us the Law to deliver us from all forms of self-righteousness by forcing us to finally come to terms with our desperate sinfulness and need for a savior.

Is the Law then contrary to the promises of God? May it never be! For if a law had been given which was able to impart life, then righteousness would indeed have been based on law. 22 But the Scripture has shut up everyone under sin, so that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe. 23 But before faith came, we were kept in custody under the law, being shut up to the faith which was later to be revealed. 24 Therefore the Law has become our tutor to lead us to Christ, so that we may be justified by faith. 25 But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a tutor. Galatians 3:21–25 (NASB95)

Even though the Bible plainly teaches we are no longer under the dominion of the law and its power to condemn us, we generally find it very difficult to leave this abusive spouse. We seem to prefer to “security” it offers to the freedom available to us in Christ.

Therefore, my brethren, you also were made to die to the Law through the body of Christ, so that you might be joined to another, to Him who was raised from the dead, in order that we might bear fruit for God. 5 For while we were in the flesh, the sinful passions, which were aroused by the Law, were at work in the members of our body to bear fruit for death. 6 But now we have been released from the Law, having died to that by which we were bound, so that we serve in newness of the Spirit and not in oldness of the letter. Romans 7:4–6 (NASB95)

We just cannot seem to let go of our need to be able to measure our spiritual standing or progress, which the law seems to provide. We cannot seem to find comfort in being released from the need to measure anything ever again because Christ has perfectly and finally fulfilled the law on our behalf. There is nothing left to do or prove ever again.

For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes. Romans 10:4 (NASB95)

The English word “end” is translated from the Greek word “telos,” which means completion or fulfillment. The NLT accurately translates this verse as follows.

For Christ has already accomplished the purpose for which the law was given. As a result, all who believe in him are made right with God. Romans 10:4 (NLT)

This leaves nothing for us to do regarding the Law. We have been released from its power to condemn us. But all this does is end the futility of striving to gain God’s favor under the old covenant. How then shall we now live under the new covenant? How do we experience what Paul called living in the “newness of the Spirit?”

Jesus: The Fusion of the Eternal with the Temporal

God is not limited by any created dimension, such as time. However, God assigned us to live in a world fenced in by the dimensions of space and time.

Those who put their faith and allegiance in Christ and experience the new birth experience life in another greater reality – the eternal spiritual realm.

By virtue of our tripartite nature (spirit, soul, and body – 1 Thessalonians 5:23), we are uniquely and amazingly designed to interface with both the material world and the spiritual one.

To God, all things are in the present. His revealed name, given to Moses, is the “I Am.” Jesus, the Second Person of the Godhead, has existed from all eternity as the Logos (John 1:1).

In obedience to his Father’s will, Jesus entered our time-space experience as a human being through a miraculous fusion of the eternal with the temporal inside Mary’s womb called the Incarnation.

He was a true extra-terrestrial, being the only person who came from heaven and is truly God and truly man, the “monogenes” or only begotten Son of God. The truth of the Incarnation has been held fast by the church since its inception and is clearly stated in Scripture.

Jesus understood that his “origin” was and is divine and that he has always existed.

And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth. John 1:14 (NASB) 

And He was saying to them, "You are from below, I am from above; you are of this world, I am not of this world. John 8:23 (NASB) 

"Your father Abraham rejoiced to see My day, and he saw it and was glad." 57  So the Jews said to Him, "You are not yet fifty years old, and have You seen Abraham?" 58  Jesus said to them, "Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was born, I am." John 8:56-58 (NASB)

In Jesus the Messiah, the eternal “I Am” became a human being.

As a human, he was subject to the limitations of time and space. He entered the world as a baby and grew and developed into a man in the ordinary way. The mystery of the Incarnation produced a person who was and is truly human and truly God, thus making it possible for the elevation of humanity beyond our comprehension.

The New Birth and the Mystery of Christ in Us

Jesus had a dual nature. He was truly God and truly man. As a man, he was subject to human weakness, but his core identity was derived from his Abba Father. He lived his human life in agreement with his core identity. He never violated his God-ness by catering to his humanity.

In the days of His flesh, He offered up both prayers and supplications with loud crying and tears to the One able to save Him from death, and He was heard because of His piety. 8  Although He was a Son, He learned obedience from the things which He suffered. 9  And having been made perfect, He became to all those who obey Him the source of eternal salvation, 10  being designated by God as a high priest according to the order of Melchizedek. Hebrews 5:7-10 (NASB)

Jesus was said to learn obedience because he endured temptation as we do without succumbing to it. By living out from his core identity as God’s only begotten son, he triumphed over sin and temptation in every case, all the way to the cross. He showed us how to live.

Before the new birth, our core identity was rooted in Adam. We were weak and enslaved to sin.

...knowing this, that our old self was crucified with Him, in order that our body of sin might be done away with, so that we would no longer be slaves to sin; 7 for he who has died is freed from sin. 8 Now if we have died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with Him, Romans 6:6–8 (NASB95)

When we are born again, our spirits come alive. The Bible says we become a new creation (Galatians 6:15, 2 Corinthians 5:17). We are joined to God in the spirit and become one with him (1 Corinthians 6:17, Galatians 2:20).

God wants us to learn to live out of this new spiritual part of our being and from there derive our identity going forward. This is the mystery and secret of the Christian life – Christ in us, the hope of glory.

For God wanted them to know that the riches and glory of Christ are for you Gentiles, too. And this is the secret: Christ lives in you. This gives you assurance of sharing his glory. Colossians 1:27 (NLT)
Learning to Walk in Step with the Holy Spirit

There was nothing in Jesus that was “out of step” with the Holy Spirit. It was completely “natural” for him to hear his Father’s voice, see what his Father was doing, and follow his Father’s lead without hindrance.

So Jesus said, "When you lift up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am He, and I do nothing on My own initiative, but I speak these things as the Father taught Me. John 8:28 (NASB)

Therefore Jesus answered and was saying to them, "Truly, truly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of Himself, unless it is something He sees the Father doing; for whatever the Father does, these things the Son also does in like manner. John 5:19 (NASB)

"For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me. John 6:38 (NASB)

The eternally perfect Logos became an historically perfect human being over time through continued obedience to his Father. 

Our Lord worked out in his time-bound human life that which was eternally true about him on the inside.

He had to make choices along the way to obey his Father, even when it cost him supremely. He learned obedience from the things he suffered as he lived out of his union with his Father.

Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, 6  who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7  but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men. 8  Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Philippians 2:5-8 (NASB)

This gives us a key to understand how our own sanctification and spiritual transformation takes place.

We too must undergo the process of learning obedience to God over a lifetime during which the Holy Spirit works to transform our thinking, words, character, and behavior to match what Christ already accomplished for us through his death and resurrection. God puts within each of us a newly recreated spirit that is united with God, whose desire is to please God always.

“Keep watching and praying that you may not come into temptation; the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.” Mark 14:38 (NASB95)

For I joyfully concur with the law of God in the inner man, 23 but I see a different law in the members of my body, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin which is in my members. 24 Wretched man that I am! Who will set me free from the body of this death? 25 Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, on the one hand I myself with my mind am serving the law of God, but on the other, with my flesh the law of sin. Romans 7:22–25 (NASB95)

Unfortunately, the residue of what the Bible calls the “flesh” still pulls us toward sin. This creates an internal battleground. By placing us in a world governed by time and space, God requires us to believe and live by faith in his promises, to obey the Holy Spirit, to treasure the fear of the Lord, and to rely on the transforming power of grace.

So then, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your salvation with fear and trembling; 13  for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure. Philippians 2:12-13 (NASB)

Living by grace is a cooperative effort between us and God in which we too learn to live out what is true spiritually on the inside through the new birth. Jesus the Messiah did the hard lifting at Calvary. However, the salvation he won for us must be actively worked out in our personal histories through belief in the truth and cooperation with the indwelling Holy Spirit.

God was not content to merely forgive us. The Spirit is committed to making what is true spiritually and eternally about us become our experience and history.

The only way this is possible is if we believe the truth that God has removed from us every trace of condemnation.

This is a corollary of the believing that Christ perfectly and finally fulfilled the Law on our behalf. Paul taught that when Jesus died on the cross, we died with him.

Since we are dead now, the Law has no more jurisdiction over us and no ability to point out our faults and condemn our failures.

This is why Jesus and Paul both emphasized that we will never ever again be condemned.

Truly, truly, I say to you, he who hears My word, and believes Him who sent Me, has eternal life, and does not come into judgment, but has passed out of death into life. John 5:24 (NASB95)

Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. Romans 8:1 (NASB95)

The judge himself assures us that he will never condemn us. That settles it. 

Once the law loses its ability to condemn us, sin loses its power over us.

The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law. 57 But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Corinthians 15:56–57 (NKJV)

Because of what Jesus did for us through his death and resurrection and through the power of the indwelling Holy Spirit, we are now able to live for God. This is the new covenant mystery of God writing his law on our hearts. (Jeremiah 31:33)

When we learn to live in the power of the indwelling Spirit, we will experience the freedom of what Paul called the “law of the spirit of life.”

Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. 2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death. Romans 8:1–2 (NASB95)

This is the outworking of the mystery of new covenant life in the Spirit.

So then, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your salvation with fear and trembling; 13  for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure. Philippians 2:12-13 (NASB)

God has given us the responsibility to live by grace in a dynamic cooperation between us and the Holy Spirit as we steadfastly hold on to the truth of God’s Word.

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Why Are We Embarrassed by the Bible?

flat earth

Today many Christians are so embarrassed by the Bible that we deny what it says rather than risk looking bad in front of our friends. This is an amazing turn of events considering that the Protestant Reformation was fundamentally a return to the authority of Scripture. The Roman Catholic Church had relegated the Bible to a secondary status beneath church tradition and papal authority. Men and women suffered persecution and even death to put the Bible back into the language and hands of the common people. This return to scripture fueled the Reformation. For a good while reformers championed the slogan, Sola Scriptura, meaning that the Bible only has supreme authority when it comes to truth, faith, and practice. But something happened along the way that caused many in the church to become so ashamed of the Word of God that we felt the necessity to reinterpret it in a way that its authors never intended. We fell into the satanic trap of elevating something else to a higher authority when it comes to practical truth. Today we call it “science.” The Scientific Revolution led many in the church to abandon its simplicity of faith in God’s Word  in favor of adopting popular evolutionary theories of astrophysics, biology, and sociology. 

Thankfully, many believers today accept the Genesis account regarding the creation of man and denounce biological evolution as a lie.

What is puzzling, however, is that many of these same people seem to have no problem at all endorsing modern evolutionary astrophysics and heliocentrism, even though it requires us to twist the text of Genesis Chapter One into an unrecognizable form. 

Jesus said he is looking for people who are unashamed of him and his words. (Luke 9:26) I would rather endure the ridicule of those who reject the Word of God in favor of the ideas of men rather than have the one who inspired the Bible be ashamed of my betrayal of his trust.

Isn’t it time for the church to repent of our worship of science and return to Sola Scriptura?

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Clarifying Some Important New Covenant Concepts

new covenant

In order to understand some of the important concepts related to the new covenant, it is necessary to clarify some potentially confusing terms. We sometimes use words and ideas which we assume we understand because they sound familiar, but, when pressed to explain them, we realize that we do not. We sometimes communicate in what some call “Christianese,” which is the use of idiomatic terms that have little or no meaning to those new to church life. An example would be when we speak of being “washed in the blood.” Church people understand that phrase to mean that Jesus’ blood which was shed on the cross cleansed our consciences from the deadly effects of sin.

And according to the Law, one may almost say, all things are cleansed with blood, and without shedding of blood there is no forgiveness. Hebrews 9:22 (NASB95)

To those outside the church community, these words may seem quite odd. Even when we try to avoid “Christianese” terms, people may not understand the meaning of our words, especially theological terms such as the words and phrases that I will cover in this article.

Our understanding of the New Covenant will grow as we gain greater insight into what Paul meant when he used the concepts mentioned in this article to show how Christ’s death and resurrection impacted our lives.

The “old man” – (Greek: palios anthropos)

When God created Adam, he formed his body out of the dirt and imparted the spirit.

Then the LORD God formed man (his body) of dust from the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath (Hebrew: breath, wind, spirit) of life; and man became a living being (literally: soul). Genesis 2:7 (NASB)

As a result, Adam became a living soul or being. I and many others define the soul as the mind, will, and emotions, what we call the personality. The Greek and Hebrew languages use three distinct words for spirit, soul, and body. In both languages the word for spirit also means breath or wind. Paul acknowledges this tripartite makeup of humans in 1 Thessalonians 5:23.

Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you entirely; and may your spirit and soul and body be preserved complete, without blame at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Thessalonians 5:23 (NASB)

The author of the letter to the Hebrews confirms that the spirit and soul are distinct.

For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart. Hebrews 4:12 (NASB95)

God created us in his image. He is a Trinity (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit), and so are we (spirit, soul, and body).

Understanding how salvation affects each part of our being will increase our understanding. Failure to make these distinctions can lead to confusion.

(If you wish to learn more about spirit, soul, and body, I encourage you to read the linked articles.)

Before the Fall, Adam’s spirit, body, and the resultant soul were in complete harmony. Neither sin nor death had entered the world. Sadly, however, Adam’s state of moral innocence was no match for Satan’s temptation to become independent from God by knowing good and evil for themselves instead of simply relying upon the Lord. Satan still lures us away from simple faith and obedience to God.

But I fear, lest somehow, as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, so your minds may be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ. 2 Corinthians 11:3 (NKJV)

When Adam believed the devil’s lie and disobeyed God’s clear command, his spirit became alienated from God, which initiated the death process, just as God warned.

but from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat from it you will surely die.” Genesis 2:17 (NASB95)

Spiritually he died that very day, just as God said he would; even though it took years for death to finally destroy his body. Ever since every person born into the world has inherited sin and death from Adam. Paul described this dismal situation in the following verses.

Therefore, just as through one man sin entered into the world, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men, because all sinned— Romans 5:12 (NASB95)

remember that you were at that time separate from Christ, excluded from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. Ephesians 2:12 (NASB)

Death permeated humanity spiritually, physically, and in the personality or soul. In addition, when Adam sinned, the entire creation was negatively affected, which Paul called “slavery to corruption.” (Romans 8:20-21)

This post-fall-of-man combination of a spirit alienated from God and a body programmed to die resulted in a new version of the soul that was at odds with God and in harmony with sin and deception. Instead of being in submission to and in partnership with God, as God intended, we are fully committed to living independently from and in opposition to God.

because the mind set on the flesh is hostile toward God; for it does not subject itself to the law of God, for it is not even able to do so, Romans 8:7 (NASB95)

This fallen death-permeated spirit-soul-body configuration is called the “old man.”

The “old man” we all inherit from Adam at conception is naturally inclined toward evil and is the driving force behind sin.

People who have never been born again (the regeneration of the spirit) can only experience human life as the “old man.”

The “old man” is incapable of being reformed or rehabilitated because the core problem is a dead and alienated spirit.

If we are ever going to experience God’s life, the old man has to be put to death and replaced with what the Bible calls  the “new man.”

This is precisely what Christ did for us over 2000 years ago. Paul described how Christ freed us in the following verse.

We know that our old man was crucified with him so that the body of sin would no longer dominate us, so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin. Romans 6:6 (NET1)
 

The “new man” – (Greek: kainos anthropos)

When a person is born again, God regenerates the spirit, the innermost part of our being, which previously had been alienated from God and was spiritually dead.

"That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. John 3:6 (NASB)

He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit, Titus 3:5 (NASB)

This supernatural rebirth makes us new people spiritually. The sin generating “old man”  is negated by the introduction of a reborn spirit which is in complete harmony with God.

Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come. 2 Corinthians 5:17 (NASB) 

...put on the new man who has been created in God’s image — in righteousness and holiness that comes from truth. Ephesians 4:24 (NET1)

God’s Spirit becomes one with our spirit, fusing God’s life to ours in the innermost part of our being.

The “new spirit” or “new heart,” which was promised by the prophets (Jeremiah 31:33, Ezekiel 36:26-27), is the result of a supernatural union with God in the spirit.

But the one who joins himself to the Lord is one spirit with Him. 1 Corinthians 6:17 (NASB)

"I have been crucified with Christ; and 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 up for me. Galatians 2:20 (NASB) 

If Christ is in you, though the body is dead because of sin, yet the spirit is alive because of righteousness. Romans 8:10 (NASB)

The “new man” is the combination of the recreated spirit (“inner man” – Greek: eso anthropos), which resides in every born-again believer, with the not-yet-resurrected body inherited from Adam. 

The regenerated spirit only desires God’s will, but the residual pull of sin, called the “flesh,” remains and is associated with the Adamic body.

I find then the principle that evil is present in me, the one who wants to do good. 22  For I joyfully concur with the law of God in the inner man, 23  but I see a different law in the members of my body, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin which is in my members. Romans 7:21-23 (NASB)

This conflict makes us spiritually “bipolar.” We all experience this inner battle between conflicting forces, which Paul calls the “flesh” and the “spirit.”

For the flesh sets its desire against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are in opposition to one another, so that you may not do the things that you please. Galatians 5:17 (NASB95)

The “inner man” or recreated spirit is the source of the believer’s new identity in Christ.

But if I am doing the very thing I do not want, I am no longer the one doing it, but sin which dwells in me. 21 I find then the principle that evil is present in me, the one who wants to do good. 22 For I joyfully concur with the law of God in the inner man, 23 but I see a different law in the members of my body, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin which is in my members. Romans 7:20–23 (NASB95)

Eventually, at his Second Coming, Jesus will raise our Adamic bodies from the dead, completing our salvation. At that point, there will no longer be any inner disharmony. Our recreated spirits will live in complete agreement with our new spiritual bodies, eliminating the flesh-spirit warfare. For now, however, we only have the “down payment” of the new birth and our union with the indwelling Spirit, which guarantees that God will eventually fulfill his promise to fully redeem us – spirit, soul, and body.

In Him, you also, after listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation—having also believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise, 14  who is given as a pledge of our inheritance, with a view to the redemption of God's own possession, to the praise of His glory. Ephesians 1:13-14 (NASB)

The soul in this “in between time” – the period between the new birth and the resurrection – is being transformed or sanctified (made holy or set apart to God) by the Spirit of grace on a daily basis as we choose to believe the truth (the renewing of the mind) and “walk in the Spirit” – living in dependence, harmony, and obedience to God’s Spirit who indwells us.

But you did not learn about Christ like this, 21  if indeed you heard about him and were taught in him, just as the truth is in Jesus. 22  You were taught with reference to your former way of life to lay aside the old man who is being corrupted in accordance with deceitful desires, 23  to be renewed in the spirit of your mind, 24  and to put on the new man who has been created in God’s image — in righteousness and holiness that comes from truth. Ephesians 4:20-24 (NET1)

The challenge for us followers of Christ is to identify with Christ’s Spirit, who indwells and is in union with the “inner man,” and realize that the Holy Spirit empowers us to live above the downward pull of the Adamic body of death, which is called the “flesh.”

 The “flesh” (Greek: sarx)

The flesh is the sinful pull still present in the born again person’s soul, which is connected to the old Adamic order through the body, which has not yet been fully redeemed through the resurrection.

Until then, we are “saved in hope,” which means we are still waiting confidently for the last installment of our great salvation.

For we know that the whole creation groans and suffers the pains of childbirth together until now. 23  And not only this, but also we ourselves, having the first fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our body. 24  For in hope we have been saved, but hope that is seen is not hope; for who hopes for what he already sees? 25  But if we hope for what we do not see, with perseverance we wait eagerly for it. Romans 8:22-25 (NASB)

We are completely confident (the meaning of the Greek word for hope which is elpis) that God will fulfill his promise to raise us from the dead, which will set us free from our current conflicted state and make us whole again by transforming the Adamic body into something radically new and unaffected by sin and death.

in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet; for the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. 53  For this perishable must put on the imperishable, and this mortal must put on immortality. 54  But when this perishable will have put on the imperishable, and this mortal will have put on immortality, then will come about the saying that is written, "DEATH IS SWALLOWED UP in victory. 55 "O DEATH, WHERE IS YOUR VICTORY? O DEATH, WHERE IS YOUR STING?" 56  The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law; 57  but thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.1 Corinthians 15:52-57 (NASB)

After the resurrection, we will no longer have a struggle between that which is connected to Adam (the “flesh”) and that which is reborn by God, since there once again will be complete harmony between spirit and body, but this time oriented fully toward God.

In the present however, the “flesh” is the source of spiritual weakness.

I am speaking in human terms because of the weakness of your flesh. For just as you presented your members as slaves to impurity and to lawlessness, resulting in further lawlessness, so now present your members as slaves to righteousness, resulting in sanctification. Romans 6:19 (NASB)

Even though all believers have “flesh,” we are not ruled by it so that we must live “in the flesh,” which means under the domination of sin.

For while we were in the flesh, the sinful passions, which were aroused by the Law, were at work in the members of our body to bear fruit for death. Romans 7:5 (NASB)

Walking in the Spirit means we set our minds on God’s truth – the things of the Spirit. When we do this, the power of God enables us to walk in freedom from the downward pull of sin.

Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. 2  For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death. 3  For what the Law could not do, weak as it was through the flesh, God did: sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and as an offering for sin, He condemned sin in the flesh, 4  so that the requirement of the Law might be fulfilled in us, who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. 5  For those who are according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who are according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. 6  For the mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace, 7  because the mind set on the flesh is hostile toward God; for it does not subject itself to the law of God, for it is not even able to do so, 8  and those who are in the flesh cannot please God. Romans 8:1-8 (NASB)

Walking in the Spirit is called “putting on Christ,” which is an act of faith by which we choose to identify with the regenerated “inner man” and rely on the indwelling life of God’s Spirit to give us victory over sin.

But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh in regard to its lusts. Romans 13:14 (NASB)

Even though, the “old man” has already been crucified with Christ, the flesh must be put to death by us on a daily basis. This is equivalent to what Jesus called denying ourselves.

Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25  If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit. Galatians 5:24-25 (NASB)

In summary, our great salvation has past, present, and future components. Jesus accomplished our justification in the past, making us perfectly right with God, when he died and rose again. This was a once for all time event. In the future, we confidently expect God to raise us from the dead, fulfilling his promise and completing our salvation. In the present, we are engaged in an ongoing process called sanctification or transformation, during which we cooperate with the Holy Spirit through belief of the truth and obedience.

God is changing us day by day into Christ’s image in how we think, speak, and act.

Living in the present requires us to draw upon the eternal truth of justification and lock on to the hope of the resurrection.

It requires us to walk by faith in Christ’s finished work while dealing with the unfinished business of still living in a pre-resurrection-Adamic body. It leaves us in a “conflicted” state that necessitates our keeping our eyes firmly upon Christ and his promises.

The “body of sin” – (Greek: soma tes hamartias)

We know that our old man was crucified with him so that the body of sin would no longer dominate us, so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin. Romans 6:6 (NET1)

This term is more or less synonymous with “flesh.” The body is not evil, but before the resurrection it is linked to Adam’s fall and is an instrument through which we sin.

We can say that the “flesh” is derived from the “body of sin,” since it will only be present as long as these fleshly bodies are still alive. Once the body dies and is resurrected, it will no longer be a “body of sin,” and the “flesh” will disappear.

The “body of sin” participated in Christ’s crucifixion in the sense that we were spiritually identified with (or “in”) Christ when he died and rose again. Obviously our human bodies were not crucified, only the spiritual component. What this accomplished was the nullification of sin’s power or authority to enslave us.

We can still choose to sin, but those who died with Christ now have the ability to walk in the Spirit rather than in the flesh.

The “body of sin” and the “flesh” were not annihilated at the cross. They were rendered ineffective in their power to rule us. We can allow them to dominate us, but we do not have to submit to them. In fact, now it is against our inmost being, spiritual nature, and or our identity in Christ to do so.

Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body (Greek: thneto somati) that you obey its lusts, 13  and do not go on presenting the members of your body to sin as instruments of unrighteousness; but present yourselves to God as those alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness to God. 14  For sin shall not be master over you, for you are not under law but under grace. Romans 6:12-14 (NASB)
 

The “body of death” – (Greek: somatos tou thanatou)

This term is synonymous with “body of sin,” but emphasizes the pre-resurrected body’s connection with death through Adam’s sin.

Wretched man that I am! Who will set me free from the body of this death? 25  Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, on the one hand I myself with my mind am serving the law of God, but on the other, with my flesh the law of sin. Romans 7:24-25 (NASB)
 

The “body of flesh” – (Greek: somatos tes sarkos)

and in Him you were also circumcised with a circumcision made without hands, in the removal of the body of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ; 12  having been buried with Him in baptism, in which you were also raised up with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead. Colossians 2:11-12 (NASB)

This term is synonymous with “body of sin” and “body of death.”

Therefore if you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2  Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth. 3  For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 4  When Christ, who is our life, is revealed, then you also will be revealed with Him in glory. 5  Therefore consider the members of your earthly body as dead to immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and greed, which amounts to idolatry. 6  For it is because of these things that the wrath of God will come upon the sons of disobedience, 7  and in them you also once walked, when you were living in them. 8  But now you also, put them all aside: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and abusive speech from your mouth. 9  Do not lie to one another, since you laid aside the old self with its evil practices, 10  and have put on the new self who is being renewed to a true knowledge according to the image of the One who created him— 11  a renewal in which there is no distinction between Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave and freeman, but Christ is all, and in all. Colossians 3:1-11 (NASB)

By faith we understand that the power of the flesh, the sinful tug of the pre-resurrected-Adamic body, has been stripped of its power to rule us. As long as we “walk in the Spirit” by faith in Christ’s finished work and in cooperation with the Spirit’s ever present power indwelling us, we are able to live above the downward pull of sin. This is a daily, even moment by moment, interaction with God’s grace.

Conclusion

My purpose in this article is to provide clarity to some potentially confusing terms. Some may disagree with my definitions, which are an attempt to better understand a mystery. Perhaps God has given you a better understanding than I have. In that case, I hope you will share your insights with me. The important thing is for us to believe what the Bible teaches. We never want to nullify the Word of God just because it has not yet become our experience or is difficult to comprehend. To the degree that what I have written helps our faith, I will consider that I have been helpful. Now we can move on to applying these marvelous truths.

Link to all the articles in this series.
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Can We Sin after We Are Born Again?

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Recently I was challenged by a student to respond to his statement that those who are truly born again do not sin. He cited the following verse to uphold his point.

Whoever has been born of God does not sin, for His seed remains in him; and he cannot sin, because he has been born of God. 1 John 3:9 (NKJV)

My answer to his question required me to summarize an important teaching on spirit, soul, and body, which I will do here as well. If you wish to read the more detailed version, click here.

To begin, another passage seems to refute the argument made by the student and shows how important it is to take into account the entire Bible before making a claim.

If we say that we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar and His word is not in us. 1 John 1:8–10 (NASB95)

Now we have a clear case of two passages which seem to make opposing claims, which requires us to dig deeper to find the solution.

The Bible says that God often conceals his truth, which requires us to search the Word of God while relying upon the guidance and revelation of the Holy Spirit. The Bible cannot be properly understood merely using our mental abilities.

Unless the Spirit of God opens our hearts and minds to his truth, we cannot understand it.

At that time Jesus said, “I praise You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that You have hidden these things from the wise and intelligent and have revealed them to infants. 26 “Yes, Father, for this way was well-pleasing in Your sight. Matthew 11:25–26 (NASB95)

Since God does it this way, it effectively “levels the playing field” so that those who are more educated and intelligent have no advantage over a child. We all need the Holy Spirit, or we are lost.

Paul shared the following important passage in his first letter to the church in Thessaloniki, Greece.

Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you entirely; and may your spirit and soul and body be preserved complete, without blame at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 24 Faithful is He who calls you, and He also will bring it to pass. 1 Thessalonians 5:23–24 (NASB95)

It is clear from these verses that we are a tripartite being.

Some claim that we only have a soul and body, but if that were the case, why did Paul distinguish between spirit and soul? Likewise, the author of the letter to the Hebrews wrote that the Word of God divides between soul and spirit, thus confirming the distinction.

For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart. Hebrews 4:12 (NASB95) 

When Adam sinned, his spirit “died” the day he ate the forbidden fruit in the sense that he was cut off from his previous connection with God and his glory. He immediately became aware of his nakedness, guilt, and shame, all of which were unknown to him before. It was only years later that his body succumbed to death. Death began in the spirit of man eventually resulting in the death of the body. The soul, the combination of spirit and body, according to Genesis 2:7, was also damaged beyond repair.

Since death began in the spirit, it is only reasonable that our salvation should begin there.

The first step of our great salvation is the new birth, at which time our spirits, the innermost part of our being, are regenerated and joined unto the Lord.

“That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7 “Do not be amazed that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’ John 3:6–7 (NASB95)

Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come. 2 Corinthians 5:17 (NASB95)

But he who is joined to the Lord is one spirit with Him. 1 Corinthians 6:17 (NKJV)

When we are born again, we are recreated or made new in the spirit.

It is readily apparent that we do not receive new bodies and our souls (mind, will, and emotions – our personalities) are not changed immediately either. God works from the inside out, making true Christianity completely different from other religions that seek to change us from the outside in, focusing on behavioral change instead of internal transformation. This internal work is done by the Spirit, whether we understand what he did or not, and it is based on our being joined to Christ and benefiting from his death and resurrection. (See my article on justification.) Justification is a once for all past work of God.

The body will not be saved until the resurrection upon Christ’s return. It will be the climax or fulfillment of our salvation, at which time these mortal bodies will be gloriously transformed. It is very much a future event. (See my article on glorification.)

This leaves the soul. God works in our souls in a very different way. Whereas justification and glorification are done to us and for us as once for all events, the salvation of the soul, which is called sanctification or transformation, requires our daily participation. It is an ongoing present work of grace. (See my article on transformation.)

Therefore, having been justified [past tense] by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 through whom also we have obtained our introduction by faith into this grace in which we stand [present transformation]; and we exult in hope of the glory of God [glorification at the future resurrection]. Romans 5:1–2 (NASB95) 

What God does in our spirits is what makes us children of God. The new birth forever alters our identity. We are joined to God in our innermost being. That part of us does not sin.

Paul expressed this glorious truth in the seventh chapter of his letter to the church in Rome.

For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh; for the willing is present in me, but the doing of the good is not. 19 For the good that I want, I do not do, but I practice the very evil that I do not want. 20 But if I am doing the very thing I do not want, I am no longer the one doing it, but sin which dwells in me. Romans 7:18–20 (NASB95)

Unless we understand the dynamic difference between spirit, soul, and body, these words are very strange. But once we do understand, they make perfect sense. Paul identified with his born again spirit, which does not sin. Nevertheless, he committed sin since he had not yet been glorified. There was still a sinful pull away from God generated by the residual connection with the old order of the adamic creation.

Paul was responsible before God for this sin, but it did not define him. His identity was in Christ, not in the flesh.

“I have been crucified with Christ; and 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 up for me. 21 “I do not nullify the grace of God, for if righteousness comes through the Law, then Christ died needlessly.” Galatians 2:20–21 (NASB95)

We all will have this relentless battle in the soul between the regenerated spirit and the adamic “flesh” until our bodies are resurrected.

For the flesh sets its desire against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are in opposition to one another, so that you may not do the things that you please. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the Law. Galatians 5:17–18 (NASB95)

After the resurrection, our souls will be unified in devotion to God, being the combination of a regenerated spirit and a glorified body. 

The only way for us to experience Christ’s victory while we live in these mortal bodies is to reckon ourselves to be dead to the power of sin and to the condemning power of the law, but alive to the Holy Spirit who indwells us. (Romans 6-8)

So we see that our spirits do not sin, but we do, because we have not yet been fully saved or glorified, which will happen at the resurrection. Until then, we live by faith in the risen Lord, free from condemnation (Romans 8:1 and John 5:24), and completely dependent upon the help of God’s indwelling Spirit.

To read my other articles about the Amazing New Covenant, click here.
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Does the Holy Spirit Abandon Us When We Sin?

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Recently I was asked if the Holy Spirit abandons us when we sin. The questioner cited King David’s plea which he made to the Lord following his sin of adultery with Bathsheba and consequent murder of her husband, Uriah. 

Do not cast me away from Your presence And do not take Your Holy Spirit from me. Psalm 51:11 (NASB95)

The logical assumption is that David could lose the presence of the Holy Spirit. The questioner concluded that we, too, can lose the Spirit if we sin. To properly answer this great question, we must compare the nature of the New Covenant to what David experienced under the Old.

The Old Covenant required people to keep God’s Law as given to Moses at Mt. Sinai and in subsequent “downloads” from above. Blessings were attached to obedience, and curses to disobedience.

Because no one is capable of keeping the Law, it always brings a curse or judgment upon those who try.

Paul summed this up in his letter to the Galatians.

For as many as are of the works of the Law are under a curse; for it is written, “CURSED IS EVERYONE WHO DOES NOT ABIDE BY ALL THINGS WRITTEN IN THE BOOK OF THE LAW, TO PERFORM THEM.” Galatians 3:10 (NASB95)

We learn from Paul that God did this to convince us that we are hopelessly lost and desperately need a Savior.

But the Scripture has shut up everyone under sin, so that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe. 23 But before faith came, we were kept in custody under the law, being shut up to the faith which was later to be revealed. 24 Therefore the Law has become our tutor to lead us to Christ, so that we may be justified by faith. Galatians 3:22–24 (NASB95)

King David was an extraordinary man who related to God by faith, as did Abraham before him. As a result, they experienced some aspects of the New Covenant, which requires us to connect with God by faith in Christ and his finished work on our behalf. 

The Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel beforehand to Abraham, saying, “ALL THE NATIONS WILL BE BLESSED IN YOU.” 9 So then those who are of faith are blessed with Abraham, the believer. Galatians 3:8–9 (NASB95)

Before the Law was given to Moses and before God instituted circumcision as a sign of the covenant, God declared that Abraham was justified by his faith in God’s promise.

Even so Abraham BELIEVED GOD, AND IT WAS RECKONED TO HIM AS RIGHTEOUSNESS. Galatians 3:6 (NASB95)

God is not bound by time as we are. Time is a temporary creation which will eventually be abolished. God sees the end from the beginning. (Isaiah 46:10) He can declare that something is done before it ever takes place within our time frame because he has already seen its completion. That is why he says that we are already glorified, even though it is still a future event for us. (Romans 8:30)

Once we see that the New Covenant promise of eternal life in Christ has already been secured, it should change how we think.

Under the Old Covenant, the Holy Spirit was with God’s people, but not in them. The New Covenant changed this radically. 

I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may be with you forever; 17 that is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it does not see Him or know Him, but you know Him because He abides with you and will be in you. John 14:16–17 (NASB95)

The gift of the indwelling Spirit is permanent. Jesus said that the Spirit will indwell us forever. This is because through the miracle of the New Covenant the Holy Spirit becomes one with our spirit.

But he who is joined to the Lord is one spirit with Him. 1 Corinthians 6:17 (NKJV)

The importance of this cannot be overstated! The Old Covenant depended on our performance in keeping the Law. Therefore, the Old Covenant could not possibly save anyone.

Since no one can ever keep the Law, God instituted the New Covenant which depends entirely on Christ’s keeping it for us.

For Christ is the end [Greek: telos - fulfillment] of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes. Romans 10:4 (NASB95)

Not only did our Lord fulfill the Law on our behalf, he also paid the penalty for our violation of the Law. 

He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him. 2 Corinthians 5:21 (NASB95)

To suppose that the Holy Spirit will abandon us if we sin is to fail to comprehend the nature and essence of the New Covenant.

We cannot attain or maintain a right relationship with God. It is by grace from beginning to end. To think otherwise reveals that we have yet to grasp the glorious truth of the gospel. We begin our discipleship journey by faith in Christ’s finished work, and we continue on that faith walk until the very end when we are resurrected from the dead and instantly changed into the glorious state promised to God’s children.

Beloved, now we are children of God, and it has not appeared as yet what we will be. We know that when He appears, we will be like Him, because we will see Him just as He is. 3 And everyone who has this hope fixed on Him purifies himself, just as He is pure. 1 John 3:2–3 (NASB95)

Jesus, the one who will judge us at the end of time, revealed that we have no worries about his condemning us. 

Truly, truly, I say to you, he who hears My word, and believes Him who sent Me, has eternal life, and does not come into judgment, but has passed out of death into life. John 5:24 (NASB95)

Hopefully this will conclude the matter for us, unless we do not take Jesus at his word. But, just in case we need more “proof,” consider Paul’s words.

Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. Romans 8:1 (NASB95)

If we properly understand  and believe Romans Chapters six and seven, we will conclude with Paul that we have no worries or fears of ever being condemned. Unfortunately, some who copied the scriptures could not believe that this could possibly be true; so, they appended the phrase “who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the spirit.” However, the earliest manuscripts, which are of greater authority, do not contain this phrase.

Sadly, even devoted Christians have a very difficult time believing that we have no fear of being condemned by God at the judgment. 

There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves punishment, and the one who fears is not perfected in love. 1 John 4:18 (NASB95)

Many Christians refuse to believe that Christ already took the punishment for our sins. They imagine that somehow we still must attain perfection through our own efforts in order to be pleasing to God. Such thinking reveals that we do not understand justification, whereby Christ gave us his perfect right standing with God. This the very issue that the Galatian church had such a hard time grasping. Paul asked them:

Are you so foolish? Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh? Galatians 3:3 (NASB95)

The answer, of course, is that we must walk with God on a daily basis in the same way we began, by faith in what Christ accomplished on our behalf. We live in the Spirit; therefore, we must learn to daily walk in the Spirit by faith.

If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit. Galatians 5:25 (NASB95)

The sure hope of experiencing God’s glory in the resurrection motivates us to cooperate with the daily operation of grace in our lives called sanctification or transformation. After we are born again, God works inside each of his children to transform how we think, speak, and act to bring us into alignment with our new spiritual identity. We experience ups and downs on this discipleship journey, but the end is already guaranteed. God made us more than conquerors, which gives us strength and determination to persevere.

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A Father’s Reward

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Jesus came to restore us to a right relationship with Abba Father, for which obedience to his Father in heaven he received eternal reward.

Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. 9 For this reason also, God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, Philippians 2:8–9 (NASB95)

Jesus’ mission was to save and restore us in order to bring his Father glory and honor. By turning our hearts back toward Abba Father, he made it possible for earthly Dads and their children to be in right relationship, too.

Proper relationships between fathers and sons and fathers and daughters is a means to experience tremendous blessings from God. An absent or broken father – child connection opens the door to many negative consequences.

“Look, I am sending you the prophet Elijah before the great and dreadful day of the LORD arrives. 6  His preaching will turn the hearts of fathers to their children, and the hearts of children to their fathers. Otherwise I will come and strike the land with a curse.” Malachi 4:5-6 (NLT)

Much of the trouble we see in our nation and around the world goes back to a break of the relationship between fathers and their children, which ultimately goes back to the absence of a relationship between us and Abba. When we men get our relationship with Abba right, restored relationships with our children can more easily follow.

Fathers who have been reconciled to Abba can help their own children grow up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.

Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. 2  “Honor your father and mother” (this is the first commandment with a promise), 3  “that it may go well with you and that you may live long in the land.” 4  Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord. Ephesians 6:1-4 (ESV)

A father’s joy is seeing his children do well.

Children who dishonor parents because of a broken father-child relationship will not do well in life. It is paramount for us dads to work diligently to repair our relationship with our children, for our sake and theirs, not mention, God’s.

Solomon said that a wise son makes a glad father. (Proverbs 10:1) Conversely, having a foolish son or daughter is a heavy load for any parent to bear. Ultimately, our children must make their own way in life: we cannot pass that test for them. A parent’s role is to give them the love, affirmation, blessings, and other tools they will need to succeed, but all of us must make their own choices.

Perfect parenting does not guarantee perfect results. Neither does poor parenting guarantee that children will fail.

When dads miss the mark, our heavenly Abba can supply what is missing to our children. When dads hurt their children, Abba can bring healing. When parents did their best, but children nevertheless go down a wrong path, Abba can comfort the parents and correct the children. Where we parents realize we failed, there is forgiveness and hope for the future. We do our best, hopefully, but all of us make plenty of mistakes as a parent and as a child.

For those of us who do not have our own natural children, there are lots of opportunities to be a “father” to those who are natural or spiritual orphans.

Adoption is one of the important themes of the Bible. Moses was adopted. So was Jesus. Every born again follower of Christ is God’s child through adoption. For those of us whose children are now grown, we can now invest in however many others God brings our way, who need a fatherly touch.

One day we will receive the reward for our labors, but even now we can rejoice as we watch our proteges learn to successfully navigate life using the skills and blessings we passed on to them.

A father’s reward comes from pouring out his life into his children and watching them succeed and go farther than he ever did.

The blessing continues as we watch our children pass the blessing forward to their own offspring. And when we ultimately stand before God’s throne at the judgment, we will hear him say, “Well done!” Hallelujah!

After all, what gives us hope and joy, and what will be our proud reward and crown as we stand before our Lord Jesus when he returns? It is you! 20  Yes, you are our pride and joy. 1 Thessalonians 2:19-20 (NLT)
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Leaving a Legacy

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Every father will leave a legacy, whether it be good, bad, or indifferent. If we ask him, God will help us to live a life that honors God, inspires those who follow, and generally elevates the family.

A good man leaves an inheritance to his children’s children, And the wealth of the sinner is stored up for the righteous. Proverbs 13:22 (NASB)

The godly walk with integrity; blessed are their children after them. Proverbs 20:7 (NLT)

We may have received a wonderful gift from God-fearing ancestors, or our family may have provided us with much to overcome. In the spirit, every born again person is a brand new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17), but when it comes to the soul (the mind, will, and emotions), each of us starts our personal faith journey at a line set by those who came before us. This is one reason it is quite impossible to properly judge a life. We do not always understand a person’s faith journey starting point.

For example, if my family has a history of verbal abuse and alcoholism, I may have developed a very dysfunctional way of coping with life. In contrast, if my family was loving, communicated well, and encouraged me regularly, I have been handed a healthier way of relating to people and have received other tools for success. This does not mean that the child of the alcoholic cannot do wonderfully in life, nor does it imply that the child from a healthier family will not fail. It merely means to one has a head start over the other, if he or she chooses to use it.

Our families’ pasts influences us, but it need not define our lives or legacy.

Regardless of where we begin our life journey, God wants us to live in such a way that those who follow us will have an easier time of it. We can leave a godly and good legacy for our descendants. This is what I call the generational aspect of salvation. Perhaps we can be the generation that enables our families to break free from sin and bondage that has held us captive for generations!

Knowing a little about our family history may help us to better understand how we can move our family forward in God. My own genealogical research has produced some great information. I found godly men and women in my family tree, about whom I knew nothing previously and from whom I am no doubt a benefactor of their passing down spiritual blessings to me and others. Not surprisingly, I also found the opposite, which helps me to know better how to pray and stand by faith.

Alcoholism was prevalent on both sides of my family tree, but my Dad and Mom responded to God’s grace and made decisions that helped to nullify that generational sin’s power to enslave family members. The same can be said for many other families which have their own heroes who stood against longstanding family bondage and sin, making it far easier for those who follow to walk in freedom.

Over my years as a pastor, I worked with many whose family inheritance was atrocious – everything from criminal activity, abandonment, addiction, violence, and abuse of various kinds.

Men who come from these sorts of families have an obvious disadvantage. Those who attempt to be godly husbands and fathers, without ever having experienced or even seen positive examples at home, are heroes in my book.

When the Allies assaulted the beaches of Normandy on D-Day, many men in the first wave gave their lives to make it possible for those who followed to have safe access to the landing areas. Someone had to make the initial assault, and they were chosen. Those who came later in the day benefited immensely from the sacrifices of their predecessors. Establishing a legacy of godliness can compare to what those brave men did.

If we are making a stand to undo generations of family devastation, it is important for us to realize that we will have to fight a pitched battle for our gains. At the end of our life, what we accomplish on behalf of our families may seem less than what some achieved in their lifetimes. But, we should not compare ourselves to others who may have inherited a far better legacy from their ancestors. We should simply be the best spiritual warrior and legacy builder we can be. The progress we make during our lifetimes will help our children and grandchildren go far beyond anything we may accomplish. That will be our reward. Our sons and daughters will carry the banner forward in their time. That’s how godly legacies are begun and passed down. Of course, all of this can only be accomplished by God’s grace!

We can ask ourselves, “What price am I willing to pay to bless my children and grand children with a godly legacy?”

That is between us and God, but whatever we decide and do will be felt by many, many others over time. Future generations may not know to whom they owe a debt of gratitude, but God knows, and so will we. Whatever the price, I believe it will be worth it.

Here are some of the ways we can develop a godly legacy. It is never too early to start, which is why I listed each stage of life. Spiritually speaking, we may be in the childhood stage, even though we are an adult.

The Childhood Stage – Building Strong Foundations

  • Study God’s Word. Even children can hunger to know more of God’s Word for themselves. When our children were small, we played cassette tapes for them on which characters sang the scriptures. It worked very well to instill the Bible into their hearts.
  • Learn to pray and make it a part of our lives. True humility knows that it cannot do this thing called life without God’s help.
  • Be a worshiper and share our faith with others.
  • Exercise our faith. Don’t merely affirm doctrine. Trust God.
  • Aspire to live in true holiness and purity without becoming legalistic. Devote ourselves to God’s purposes for our lives. If we do not know what they are yet, keep seeking. We can always simply tell Jesus that we are his to direct and command.
  • Be accountable. Find a mentor (our natural father or a godly man) who will disciple and encourage us along the way.
  • Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal more of the Father’s love to us.
  • Be faithful in the small things. Serve those who are in leadership.
  • Be careful to stay properly related to the authority people in our lives.

The Young Man Stage – Exercising Our Spiritual Muscles

  • Find true freedom by believing in the finished work of Christ and by learning to walk in the Spirit.
  • Learn to exercise the authority we have in Christ to share the Gospel, pray for people, engage in spiritual warfare, and respond to faith challenges.
  • Be willing to take on new responsibilities. Let God stretch us by doing things outside our “comfort zones.” Refuse to limit ourselves by what we think we can do. Trust God to help us accomplish his will.
  • Continue to be a man who is under authority while learning to lead.
  • Be faithful in whatever we do.
  • Act as a protector of others.
  • Continue the discipleship journey and begin to disciple others.

The Fatherhood Stage – Building for the Future

  • Transition from primarily focusing on our own lives and goals to helping others discover and fulfill their potential.
  • Invest heavily in the younger generation. 
  • Pass the leadership or ministry baton when appropriate and allow our disciples to try their wings. They may naturally defer to us, which is good, but encourage them to learn to operate as the lead person with you on the sidelines acting as cheerleader and coach. Act as friend, counselor, and supporter in our new role as Dads of adult children.
  • If our own children are grown and have left the nest, we can use our newfound freedom and time to expand our ministry horizons, which can also open up opportunities for those we mentor and lead.
  • Stay connected in accountable relationships.

Concluding Thoughts

Don’t be selfish; don’t live to make a good impression on others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourself. 4 Don’t think only about your own affairs, but be interested in others, too, and what they are doing. Philippians 2:3-4 (NLT)
  • We will not always be in the picture. Let’s make good use of our time.
  • God often saves the best for last.
  • Make it our aim to be faithful in every stage of life.
  • Prepare now to enjoy life and be fruitful in our latter years.
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Fathers Represent Abba to Their Children

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As if accurately modeling Christ’s love to our wives were not daunting enough, fathers are charged to be representatives of Father God to their children, too.

Good fathers provide their children with a first idea of Abba’s character and love.

Jesus perfectly represented his Father to us, and we must do the best we can for our children.

Because of the poor job done by many human fathers, our heavenly Father has a public relations problem. I remember praying with one woman who had experienced terrible things at the hands of an abusive step-father. When she contemplated praying directly to Father God, it scared her. She had a very poor impression of a God who would allow such things to happen to her. That poisonous image of her loving Abba etched in her heart by a man who failed in his charge of properly representing Father God kept her from having a loving relationship with Abba for many years. Thankfully, Jesus set her free from all that, and she eventually came to trust her Abba. Conversely, when a father properly models Father’s heart to his children, it gives them a tremendous advantage.

This is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent. John 17:3 (NASB95)

Knowing Abba is our ultimate quest and modeling Abba as a good father is perhaps the greatest role available to a man.

Below I have listed some ways we can properly represent Abba to our children. But first, let’s meditate on the following passage from Ephesians.

For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, 15  from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, 16  that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17  so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, 18  may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, 19  and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. Ephesians 3:14-19 (ESV)

 

Fathers lavish kindness and love on their children and delight in them.

The “Parable of the Prodigal Son” is a great example. Many think that story should be entitled “The Parable of the Prodigal Father” instead. To be prodigal means to spend lavishly or wastefully. We learn from this parable that…

Fathers are to lavish love and attention on their children, even when they do not respond in kind. In other words, a Father’s love is unconditional.

Abba loved us even when we were his enemies. If we did not receive this kind of love from our own dads, we must ask Abba to teach us how to give away to our children what we did not receive. 

In order to love like this, we must first receive Abba’s love.

One of the worst things we can do is to model to our children the idea that Father God is indifferent and distant from us. We must choose to properly give away a father’s love so that children gain the proper idea that God wants them around and is vitally interested in the details of their lives. Perhaps the proper word to describe all this is “delight.”

One of the great revelations in life is when we find out that Abba actually likes us, as well as loves us.

Children know when they are merely tolerated. When parents show more affection for one child than another, it communicates a rather covert form of rejection. This was true in the case of Joseph and his brothers. Jacob’s obvious preference for Joseph stirred them to jealousy and hatred. It is only natural for a fathers to get along better with some children due to personalities, but we should be careful to do our best to delight in each child. We will not be able to do this for our children if we have not come to understand that Abba delights in us.

We can only give away what we have received.

This puts a burden on every father to seek God for what we need to be for our children.

Abba spoke words of affirmation and delight over his Son.

But even as he spoke, a bright cloud came over them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my dearly loved Son, who brings me great joy. Listen to him.” Matthew 17:5 (NLT)

Delight does more to affirm our children than perhaps anything else we can do for them.

Every child hopes and longs for his or her father’s approval. Do not withhold it. The withholding of delight is powerfully negative. Children know the difference between the words, “I love you,” and genuine delight.

Sometimes a father’s love is not returned, at least for a while, if his son or daughter is self-centered and determined to learn life’s lessons the hard way. Abba-like fathers will be there for their children when they finally come to their senses.

Fathers bless their children and provide a secure and safe environment for growth and expression.

Earthly fathers are responsible to provide a safe and secure environment in which their children can grow and thrive.

The LORD is my shepherd; I have all that I need. 2  He lets me rest in green meadows; he leads me beside peaceful streams. Psalm 23:1-2 (NLT)

An important aspect of a father’s protection is shielding his children from undue criticism or rejection. Little children do not have adult abilities to discern what is true and what is mere opinion or a lie. Whatever a father tells his child will be believed when children are young.

If fathers speak words of affirmation and encouragement, it will build the child on the inside. Fathers who tear down their children with negative hurtful words impact those little lives in the wrong direction.

Children need to know they are protected from outside dangers and that the one they trust will never betray them. This is how ABBA is. It is how we fathers must be, too.

Whatever is good and perfect comes down to us from God our Father, who created all the lights in the heavens. He never changes or casts a shifting shadow. James 1:17 (NLT)

Abba is the source of all blessings, and he designed things so that blessings should flow from him through earthly fathers to their families, if everything is working as it should.

If an earthly father is serving the devil, demonic anti-blessings (curses) may be passed down.

Fathers need to realize that they are part of a long relay race coming down through the generations. Every child inherits good and bad things from previous generations of fathers. Good decisions made by previous fathers often provide residual blessings for generations to come. Conversely sins and poor life decisions made by previous generations of fathers can negatively impact children, grandchildren, etc. We are not responsible for the sins of our ancestors, but we may reap some consequences of their sins. This called the law of sowing and reaping. (Galatians 6:7) Only Jesus can set us free from this vicious cycle. (If you want to read more about how this works, click here.)

One of the great things any father can do for his children is consciously and deliberately speak blessings aloud over them.

It may be done at a special blessing event when the child arrives at a milestone in life, such as an 18th birthday. It also can and should be done informally on a continual basis. A father’s blessing carries great weight and goes a long way to insuring success. A father’s “curse,” hurtful words spoken in anger and spite, go into the heart and soul of the child, guaranteeing future problems, unless that child is set free by Jesus.

Good fathers carefully guard their words to their children, knowing that what they say shapes their lives.

Fathers teach their children how to be successful in life.

When children are small, they need love and watchful care. As they mature, they must be prepared for the coming day when they will be thrust into the world as self-governing adults, who will need to provide for their own families. Fathers are charged to teach their children a wide variety of life skills, including a love for the truth, a fear of God, a devotion to Jesus, love for family, loyalty to friends, obedience to authority, and faithfulness in performing responsibilities. Fathers have the ability to intuitively know in what areas each of their children have talent and can gently guide them into appropriate fields of work. Fathers should model how to be a good husband and father and teach their sons and daughters how to select a spouse.

Fathers discipline their children.

For the LORD corrects those he loves, just as a father corrects a child in whom he delights. Proverbs 3:12 (NLT)

Loving fathers discipline their children. The opposite is also true, disinterested fathers fail in this area. Discipline is difficult. It requires loving firmness and consistency. When parents get lazy, they tend to let their children get away with things until things reach a point that the parents get angry and react sometimes inappropriately harshly. Proper discipline is done with love and restraint with the ultimate good of the child in mind. We are preparing children for life, not simply trying to make things easy for ourselves as parents.

Fathers release their children into adulthood.

Godly fathers get more pleasure in seeing their sons and daughters excel than in succeeding themselves.

They are able to hand off the baton and get out of the way as soon as possible and advisable. Fathers want their children to grow up and be able to make wise decisions; so, they provide opportunities to make some choices while they still under their watchful supervision. While children are very small, they must be led with a strong hand, but as they grow older, parents must learn to give them room to develop, mature, and “spread their wings.” We should encourage our children that they are able to survive and thrive in the “adult” world.

If we succeed in adequately representing ABBA to our children and others we may mentor, we lay a foundation for their spiritual and practical growth that is incalculable.

If we misrepresent God in these areas, we can do enormous damage. Where there has been abuse or abandonment, children will need to overcome deeply embedded lies about who Abba is and what his attitude toward them is. Where there has been a failure to protect, children may have difficulty in trusting God. Where there has been criticism, children may fear expressing their true opinions and personalities or even attempting new things.

We dads have enormous shoes to fill, but God’s grace is sufficient.

It may be that you will need significant healing and breakthroughs in accepting God’s love and truth in your own life before you can be an effective father. If that is the case, please do not delay in getting the help you need. There is no sense in passing on our dysfunction to another generation. Perhaps the challenge of being a good father will be just the motivation we need to finally come to know our heavenly Father as he desires. It may well be the greatest thing to ever happen to you.

I am writing to you, fathers, because you know Him who has been from the beginning...  1 John 2:13 (NASB)
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Husbands Represent Christ to Their Wives

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Two significant gender specific roles men may play over a lifetime are husbands and fathers.

Both are weighty and beyond our natural ability requiring us to rely on God’s help. If we get these two roles right, we will be a huge blessing to those we love. If we fail through ignorance, neglect, or sinful rebellion, we will damage those we should be protecting and blessing. First, we will look at how husbands represent Christ to their wives.

The following passage written by Paul to the church in Ephesus is often used to teach husband their responsibilities with regard to their wives.

Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, 26  that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, 27  so that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish. 28  In the same way husbands should love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. Ephesians 5:25-28 (ESV)

Unfortunately, men often focus more on what Paul wrote to wives regarding obeying their husbands, instead of on what God says to us men. Scripture was never meant to be used as a means to nag others into conformity. Rather, God uses it to bring each of us to repentance and obedience in our own right. When men learn to love their wives properly, their wives will be encouraged to lovingly and biblically relate to their husbands.

God has made us husbands responsible to love our wives as Christ loves the church. There could hardly be a more challenging and humbling role.

Jesus called himself the Good Shepherd. Husbands are shepherds to their families, representing the Chief Shepherd in various ways. We husbands are to model Christ to our wives and families in attitude, word, and deed. We will only be able to get this right with the help of God’s Spirit. It is no small thing to be Christ’s representative in the home. We will greatly influence our wives and children either positively or negatively, depending how well we do this.

God charges every husband with the duty to love his wife sacrificially, provide for her, protect, teach, develop her as a person and disciple, and provide godly leadership.

Many young men come into marriage with a very selfish perspective, which is the opposite of Christ. Young men are selfish sexually and in their use of time and money. The wife is often more naturally nurturing and unselfish and can be deeply hurt by her immature self-centered husband over and over again during these early years. Husbands are told to be gentle with their wives. Harshness undermines our role as Christ’s representative.

In the same way, you husbands must give honor to your wives. Treat your wife with understanding as you live together. She may be weaker than you are, but she is your equal partner in God’s gift of new life. Treat her as you should so your prayers will not be hindered. 1 Peter 3:7 (NLT)

God works in men through marriage to make us more other-centered and unselfish.

This is part of our preparation for dynamic fatherhood. Let’s take a look at some specific aspects of our responsibilities as husbands.

Husbands model Christ’s unselfish love through serving.

Shepherds exist to care for the sheep. If you are a man who thinks that your wife and children are supposed to wait on you because you work so hard all day, you do not yet understand Christ’s relationship to the church. Jesus literally sacrificed his life for his church, his bride. He washed his disciples’ feet. He served them in countless ways while at the same time having oversight and authority. Despite clearly understanding his role as Lord, he did not “lord it over” them.

Husbands should view themselves as the family’s chief servant who models Christ.

Sacrificially loving our wives means we put their needs and desires in front of our own, which is not easy for us to do. This means we cannot do everything we want to do as young men. As Jesus put it: we are not here to serve ourselves, but others.

So Jesus called them together and said, “You know that the rulers in this world lord it over their people, and officials flaunt their authority over those under them. 43  But among you it will be different. Whoever wants to be a leader among you must be your servant, 44  and whoever wants to be first among you must be the slave of everyone else. 45  For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many.” Mark 10:42-45 (NLT)

 

Husbands are providers.

As shepherds of their families, an important way that men serve is by providing for them.

Some men feel overwhelmed by this responsibility, but that is only because they have not learned that Abba Father is fully committed to provide for them.

As husbands and fathers grow in their relationship with Abba, it helps them properly represent Christ. In years past, men were expected to be the sole breadwinners. Today the husband and wife often share this burden, and in some cases the wife may be the primary earner. There is nothing inherently wrong with this set up. It may simply reflect the wife’s greater abilities and opportunities. It can go wrong, however, if the husband begins to think less of himself because of his wife’s success, or if the wife begins to despise her husband as a result. Regardless of who makes the most money for the family, the husband can never abdicate his responsibility carry the primary spiritual weight of being the provider. Nor is he allowed to slip into a despondent or passive attitude, thereby thrusting the weight of the role of provider onto the shoulders of his wife.

The LORD is my shepherd; I have all that I need. 2  He lets me rest in green meadows; he leads me beside peaceful streams. Psalm 23:1-2 (NLT)

 

Husbands are protectors of the family.

Shepherds protect their flocks from outside attack and from bullies inside the flock. This protection includes financial, spiritual, relational, and physical aspects.

Husbands are called to be the “point men” who directly confront the enemy and stand in the gap for their families.

A husband who is introverted and less bold should never press his wife to do the hard and and uncomfortable things so he can avoid his responsibilities. Any woman who does this for her husband becomes an enabler. The husband is supposed to take the initiative to ensure that the forces of darkness are kept at bay. He should close all known doors of temptation and demonic oppression through personal repentance, careful watching, and using Christ’s authority appropriately.

Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me. Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me. 5  You prepare a feast for me in the presence of my enemies. You honor me by anointing my head with oil. My cup overflows with blessings. Psalm 23:4-5 (NLT)
Husbands are teachers.

Many adults were never taught the great truths of the Bible or how to do even the simplest things by their parents. Husbands should take the lead in seeking the Lord with their wives and helping them grow in the Lord. We should be humble enough to draw upon whatever knowledge and wisdom our wives possess. Wives may come into the marriage far ahead of us in spiritual matters, but this is no excuse for our not taking responsibility. There is an “anointing” upon the husband to lead and teach. God will help us “catch up” if we are behind.

We cannot allow ourselves to be intimidated in spiritual matters. This puts a responsibility on husbands to study and grow spiritually.

Many men are lazy when it comes to spiritual things and, as a result, have little to offer, which is a great travesty and robs the wife and family of what God would have provided for them.

Husbands are leaders.

Leading does not mean that husbands get their way exclusively or have permission to “lord it over” their wives and children. It does mean that we must seek God and work with our wives to arrive at wise and godly decisions.

Even if a husband delegates some of the decision making to his wife, he is ultimately responsible before God.

Modeling leadership is one of the most effective ways to lead. The husband models what it means to be a servant leader. His wife and children benefit from the way he pours himself out in loving service to them.

He lets me rest in green meadows; he leads me beside peaceful streams. Psalm 23:2 (NLT)
Husbands are developers.

One of the goals of a godly husband is to help his wife become all God intends, thereby enabling her to reach her full potential. Wives were never intended to be passive doormats. They complement their husbands and often have tremendous callings and abilities that need to be developed and flourish. The amazing woman in Proverbs 31 is our model.

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