From: "Phil Rembleski" <PHIl@rescuechurchofchrist.org>

To: "1111RESCUEMEMBERS"

Cc:

Sent: Tue, Apr 9, 2024 at 6:08 AM

Subject: 4-9-24 THOUGHTS

4-9-24   THOUGHTS

The reading below was the topic of our discussion in the auditorium class Sunday morning. There is an “internal hemorrhage” in a man discussed below.  The flesh and the spirit are at odds!  The discussion is fundamental to our Christianity!  The flesh wars against the spirit and we are both!  This flesh/spirit battle produces a “wretched man”, verse 24.  I think we can all relate.  The power in the first two verses of Romans 8, cannot be understated!  Gal 2:16 “nevertheless knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the Law but through faith in Christ Jesus, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, so that we may be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the Law; since by the works of the Law no flesh will be justified.” [see Eph 2:8-10]   This is a discussion of the saving grace of God in Christ Jesus.

Rom 7:14-8:2   For we know that the Law is spiritual, but I am of flesh, sold into bondage to sin. 15  For what I am doing, I do not understand; for I am not practicing what I would like to do, but I am doing the very thing I hate. 16  But if I do the very thing I do not want to do, I agree with the Law, confessing that the Law is good. 17  So now, no longer am I the one doing it, but sin which dwells in me. 18  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. 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. 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.
    Rom 8:1   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.

My Prayer:
The fleshly anchor that ties us to this world gives us trouble, O God.  Thank You for the victory that is in Christ Jesus.  Help us to own that victory with a powerful faith that sustains, O Father. May we abide in Jesus the Vine, as we partake of each day’s power to walk in the spirit/Spirit.   Help us to overcome, O God.  May we be “strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man...”   Keep our ability to overcome intact at all times dear Father.  Accept love and praise and honor from Your children.        In Jesus’ name,    Amen.