Tag: Truth

The Works of the Flesh Part 2

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Galatians 5:19-21 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. 

There are seventeen works of the flesh, continued: Seditions. [Greek: dichostasia] “divisions” (Rom. 16:17; 1Cor. 3:3); “seditions, parties, and factions” (5:20). Popular disorder; stirring up strife in religion, government, home, or any other place. Heresies. [Greek: hairesis] heresy (5:20; Acts 24:14; 1Cor, 11:19; 2Pet. 2:1). The word itself has no evil meaning. It simply refers to a doctrinal view or belief at variance with the recognized and accepted tenets of a system, church, or party. The word heretic is used once in Scripture (Tit. 3:10), and means one who holds a heresy; a dissenter, nonconformist. It only takes on an evil meaning when sound doctrine is rejected and fallacy is accepted and taught in preference to the truth. If the doctrine is unsound and one dissent from the main body who holds the fallacy, then he is a heretic in a good sense. The word signifies a sect or party, whether good or bad, distinguished from all other sects and parties. It formerly was applied to different sects of heathen philosophers. The church of Rome uses it only in an evil sense to apply to all who cannot go along with their many dogmas and rituals that have been added for many centuries to the pure teachings of the Christian faith. Envyings. [Greek: phthonoi] (5:21; Matt. 27:18; Mark 15:10; Rom. 1:29; Php. 1:15; 1Tim. 6:4; Tit. 3:3; Jas. 4:5; 1Pet. 2:1) Pain, ill will, and jealousy at the good fortune or blessings of another; the basest of all degrading and disgraceful passions. Murders. [Greek: phonoi] to kill; to spoil or mar the happiness of another; hatred (1Jn. 3:15). Drunkenness. [Greek: methai] (5:21; Luke 21:34; Rom. 13:13). Living intoxicated; a slave to drink; drinking bouts. Revellings. [Greek: komoi] (5:21; 1Pet. 4:3); rioting (Rom. 13:13). Lascivious and boisterous feastings, with obscene music, and other sinful activities; pleasures; carousing.

Four divisions of these sins: 4 Sins of lust, nos. 1-4 (5:19); 2 sins of impiety and superstition, nos. 5-6 (5:20); 9 sins of temper, nos. 7-15 (5:20-21); 2 sins of appetite: eating and drinking, nos. 16-17 (5:21).

‘They which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.’ This is the first New Testament prophecy in Galatians (5:21). No man who commits these sins will ever inherit the kingdom of God unless he confesses and puts them out of his life (1Cor. 6:9-11). Let any man claim that he can be saved and yet live in these sins and the coming judgments will decide whether he or the Word of God is right.

The Works of the Flesh Part 1

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Galatians 5:19-21 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. 

‘Works of the flesh are manifest, which are these …’ There are seventeen works of the flesh noted here: Adultery. [Greek: moicheia] unlawful sexual relations between men and women, single or married (5:19; Matt. 15:19; Mark 7:21; John 8:3). Fornication. [Greek: porneia] same as adultery above besides all manner of other unlawful relations (Matt. 5:32). Uncleanness. [Greek: akatharsia] whatever is opposite of purity; including sodomy, homosexuality, lesbianism, pederasty, bestiality, and all other forms of sexual perversion (5:19; Matt. 23:27; Rom. 1:21-32; 6:19; 2Cor. 12:21; Eph. 4:19; 5:3; Col. 3:5; 1Thess. 2:3; 4:7; 2Pet. 2:1-22). Lasciviousness. [Greek: aselgeia] licentiousness, lustfulness, unchastity, and lewdness. Translated “lasciviousness” (5:19; Mark 7:22; 2Cor. 12:21; Eph. 4:19; 1Pet. 4:3; Jude 1:4); “wantonness” (Rom. 13:13; 2Pet. 2:18); and “filthy” (2Pet. 2:7). Lasciviousness is the promoting or partaking of that which tends to produce lewd emotions, anything tending to foster sex sin and lust. That is why many worldly pleasures have to be avoided by Christians – so that lasciviousness may not be committed. Idolatry. [Greek: eidololatreia] image-worship (5:20; 1Cor. 10:14; Col. 3:5; 1Pet. 4:3). Idolatry includes anything on which affections are passionately set; extravagant admiration of the heart (Eph. 5:5; Col. 3:5). Witchcraft. [Greek: pharmakeia] sorcery, the practice of dealing with evil spirits; magical incantations and casting spells and charms upon one through drugs, medications and potions of various kinds (5:20; Rev. 9:21; 18:23; cp. Rev. 21:8; 22:15.). Enchantments were used to inflict evil, pains, hatred, sufferings, and death, or to bring good, health, love and other blessings. Hatred. [Greek: echthra] enmity (Luke 23:12; Rom. 8:7; Eph. 2:15-16; Jas. 4:4); hatred (5:20). Bitter dislike, abhorrence, malice and ill will against anyone; tendency to hold grudges against or be angry at someone. Variance. [Greek: eris] Dissensions, discord, quarrelling, debating; and disputes. Emulations. [Greek: zeloi] envies, jealousies; striving to excel at the expense of another; seeking to surpass and outdo others; uncurbed rivalry spirit in religion, business, society, and other fields of endeavour. Translated “zeal” (John 2:17; Rom. 10:2; 2Cor. 7:11; 9:2; Php. 3:6; Col. 4:13); “fervent mind” (2Cor. 7:7); “envy” (Acts 13:45; Rom. 13:13; 1Cor. 3:3; 2Cor. 12:20; Jas. 3:14-15); “jealousy” (2Cor. 11:2); “indignation” (Acts 5:17; Heb. 10:27); and “emulation” (5:20). Wrath. [Greek: thumos] “wrath” (5:20; Luke 4:28; Acts 19:28; 2Cor. 12:20; Eph. 4:31; Col. 3:8; Heb. 11:27; Rev. 12:12; 14:8, 10, 19; 15:1, 7; 16:1; 18:3); “indignation” (Rom. 2:8); and “fierceness” (Rev. 16:19; 19:15). Turbulent passions; domestic and civil turmoil; rage; determined and lasting anger. Strife. [Greek: eritheia] “strife” (5:20; 2Cor. 12:20; Php. 2:3; Jas. 3:14, 16); “contention” (Php. 1:16; Rom. 2:8). Disputations; jangling; strife about words; angry contentions; contest for superiority or advantage; strenuous endeavour to equal or payback in kind the wrongs done to one.

Walk in the Spirit

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Galatians 5:16-18 This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that you cannot do the things that you would. But if you be led of the Spirit, you are not under the law. 

‘This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.’ To keep you from devouring each other, you must live a Christian life.

There are seven secrets mentioned here of victorious living: Stand fast in the liberty of the gospel and renounce all keeping of the law (5:1-3). Maintain justification in grace and obey the truth (4:1-31-15). Walk in the Spirit (5:16-17). Be led by the Spirit (5:18). Crucify the flesh with the affections and lusts (5:19-21, 24). Demonstrate the fruit of the Spirit in daily life (5:22-23). Live in the Spirit (5:25-26).

‘For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that you cannot do the things that you would.’ This verse is much misunderstood as referring to constant warfare between the flesh and Spirit, making one a victim of the flesh and helpless to live right. This is not the thought at all. It does describe the condition of Galatians or anyone else fallen from grace and seeking perfection through the flesh and self-efforts (1:6-8; 3:1-5; 5:1-9, 13-15, 26). That it does not refer to the normal life of a Christian in grace, living and walking in the Spirit is clear from Galatians 5:16, 18, 22-24; Romans 6:14-23; 8:1-13; 2Corinthians 10:5-7; Ephesians 6:10-18; Colossians 3:5-10 and 1 John 1:7-9; 3:8-10; 5:1-4, 18.

‘You be led of the Spirit, you are not under the law.’ This verse also refers to the Galatians who had left grace to go back under the law (1:6-8; 3:1-5; 4:9-11, 21-31; 5:1-4). Paul simply told them that if they would receive again the gospel of the grace of God and permit again the working of the Spirit in their lives, as they used to do (in Gal. 3:1-5) and if they would renounce the law again, they would not be under its bondage. If they would do this, they would not have the struggle of Galatians 5:17. The flesh with its affections and lusts would be crucified again and they could live the Christian life again (5:16, 22-24).

A Little Leaven

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Galatians 5:9-15 A little leaven leavens the whole lump. I have confidence in you through the Lord, that you will be none otherwise minded: but he that troubles you shall bear his judgment, whosoever he be. And I, brethren, if I yet preach circumcision, why do I yet suffer persecution? then is the offence of the cross ceased. I would they were even cut off which trouble you. For, brethren, you have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another. For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shall love thy neighbour as thyself. But if you bite and devour one another, take heed that you be not consumed one of another. 

‘A little leaven leavens the whole lump’ – A little sin or false doctrine can corrupt the whole life and conduct (1Cor. 5:6; Jas. 2:10).

‘I have confidence in you through the Lord, that ye will be none otherwise minded; but he that troubles you shall bear his judgment, whosoever he be.’ I have faith that you will recover yourself and regain the grace you have lost and that your troubler will be cut off (5:10-12).

‘If I yet preach circumcision, why do I yet suffer persecution?’ It was reported that Paul preached circumcision (perhaps because Timothy was circumcised. Acts 16:3), but if so, why did the Jews still persecute him? If he did that, the offence of the cross would cease.

‘You have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another.’ You have been called to total freedom from all the law, but do not let this cause you to think that you have no responsibility to live right. The new covenant also demands righteousness of all people and the love of neighbours as yourself (5:13-14; Matt. 19:19; Rom. 13:9).

‘But if you bite and devour one another, take heed that you be not consumed one of another.’ If you become “cannibalistic” Christians, you will destroy one another, confirming your total backslidings and fall from grace (1:6-8; 3:1-5; 5:4, 15).

Fallen from Grace

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Galatians 5:2-8 Behold, I Paul say unto you, that if you be circumcised, Christ shall profit you nothing. For I testify again to every man that is circumcised, that he is a debtor to do the whole law. Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; you are fallen from grace. For we through the Spirit wait for the hope of righteousness by faith. For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availed any thing, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worked by love. You did run well; who did hinder you that you should not obey the truth? This persuasion comes not of him that called you. 

‘Christ shall profit you nothing.’ If you insist on circumcision (or any other part of the law) you take on the whole obligation of the law. You then testify that you seek justification by the law instead of by faith so Christ will profit you nothing (5:3-4). It is either the old or new covenant which you must observe so take your choice (5:2-3). In case you choose the law, you are fallen from grace (1:6-8; 3:1-5; 4:9-31; 5:4).

‘Every man that is circumcised, that he is a debtor to do the whole law.’ Every man that is circumcised as a token of obedience to the old covenant is a debtor to do the whole law, including sacrifices, offerings, and commandments. Every man that is not so circumcised is free from all such law observance, including the Ten Commandments. He is only under obligation to obey the laws and commandments of the new covenant.

‘You are fallen from grace.’ That falling from grace is possible is clear here (1:6-8; 2:21; 3:1-5; 4:9-10, 19; Acts 13:43; 2Cor. 6:1; Heb. 12:15; Jude 1:4).

‘For we through the Spirit wait for the hope of righteousness by faith.’ Four secrets of continued grace: Live and walk in the Spirit (5:5; 16-26; Rom. 8:1-13; Col. 3:5-10). Be patient in hope (5:5; Rom. 8:24; Heb. 3:6, 12-14; 6:19). Continue in Christ (5:6; John 15:1-8; Col. 2:6-7; Heb. 3:14). Continue in faith (5:6; Col. 1:23).

‘You did run well’ – Proving they were true Christians for a time (1:6-8; 3:1-5; 4:9-19; 5:1-4). Here again, the Christian life is compared to a race (1Cor. 9:24; Heb. 12:1).

‘Who did hinder you that you should not obey the truth?’ They quit obeying the truth (1:6-8; 3:1).

Stand Fast

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Galatians 5:1 Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ has made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage. 

‘Stand fast’ – Keep rank. Do not be disorderly or retreat. Keep unity. Let nothing divide you so that satan can defeat you.

‘Liberty’ – this refers to the freedom of the gospel of the new covenant (4:21-31; Jas. 1:25; 2:12). The old covenant was one of bondage, sin, and death; the new is one of freedom, righteousness, and life. The Messiah was to bring liberty from the curse and all its effects (Isa. 61:1; Luke 4:18). All Christians enjoy liberty (2:4; 5:1, 13; Rom. 8:21; 1Cor. 8:9; 10:29; 1Pet. 2:16). The Spirit brings it (2Cor. 3:17). Liberty is not to be abused or used for an occasion to sin (5:13; 1Cor. 8:9; 1Pet. 2:16).

‘Christ has made us free.’ Christ Himself is the one who sets free from the law of Moses (Rom. 10:4; Eph. 2:14-15; Col. 2:14-17).

‘Be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.’ Two things are commanded here: Stand fast in liberty from all bondage to the law (5:1; 3:10-12; Col. 2:14-17). Be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage to the law (5:1; Acts 15:10).

‘Entangled again’ [Greek: enecho] to be held or caught; entangled in. Make a definite break from all keeping of the law and let your freedom from it be settled once and forever. Recognize that you are under a new covenant and that you are out from all observance of Jewish rites, ceremonies, commandments, days, sabbaths, seasons, times, years, and whatever else is in the Jewish law (Col. 2:14-17; Eph. 2:14-15).

‘Yoke of bondage’ Observing any or all the Mosaic laws, commandments, rituals, or any jot or tittle of the law is considered a yoke of bondage (4:24; Acts 15:10). If one goes back to keeping the law, he is under obligation to keep the whole contract (3:10-12; 5:3; Jas. 2:10). If one wants to know whether he is allowed to steal, murder, commit adultery, or keep any sabbath, then let him go to the new contract. You are only under the law when you choose to break it.

Not Children of the Bondwoman

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Galatians 4:26-31 But Jerusalem which is above is free, which is the mother of us all. For it is written, Rejoice, thou barren that bear not; break forth and cry, thou that travail not: for the desolate has many more children than she which has an husband. Now we, brethren, as Isaac was, are the children of promise. But as then he that was born after the flesh persecuted him that was born after the Spirit, even so it is now. Nevertheless what sad the scripture? Cast out the bondwoman and her son: for the son of the bondwoman shall not be heir with the son of the freewoman. So then, brethren, we are not children of the bondwoman, but of the free. 

‘Jerusalem which is above is free, which is the mother of us all.’ The New Jerusalem in heaven is a free city and the mother of us all (Heb. 11:10-16; 12:22-23; 13:14; Rev. 3:12; 21:1-22:5). In other words, Jerusalem is the place where God lives and who adopts us into His family (4:26-27).

‘Rejoice, thou barren that bear not; break forth and cry, thou that travail not: for the desolate has many more children than she which hath an husband.’ This verse predicts the salvation of the Gentiles during the rejection and dispersion of Israel. Paul quoted this passage to prove that more men will be saved under the new covenant than under the old one, which is cast out and abolished. Quoted from Isaiah 54:1.

‘Now we, brethren, as Isaac was, are the children of promise.’ We who are Christians are the children of the promise and the new covenant like Isaac and are being persecuted as he was (4:28-29).

‘Born after the Spirit, even so it is now.’ Men were born again in Old Testament days (4:29; Deut. 32:18; Ps. 19:7; 32:1-2; 51:10-13; 103:3; Isa. 1:16-18). This was experienced by having faith in the coming redemption on the cross, whereas we look back to the cross.

‘Cast out the bondwoman and her son.’ Quoted from Genesis 21:10. This represents the old covenant being cast out as having no part in the Christian program. Christians are not under one detail of the law of Moses, including the ten commandments. When you truly love you will never transgress the moral law (Rom. 13:8, 10). Deprive any man of his wife (Rom. 13:9). Rob any woman of her virtue. Take the life of anyone. Hate anyone (1Jn. 3:15). Take the property of anyone. Rob a man of his good name. Covet one thing of another. Love only yourself. Work ill toward anyone (Rom. 13:10).

‘For the son of the bondwoman shall not be heir with the son of the freewoman.’ Just as Hagar and Ishmael were cast out of Abraham’s home and received no inheritance with Isaac, so the law of Moses and the gospel cannot mix. They are two different contracts. One is abolished and the other is still in force (4:30-31).

The Two Covenants

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Galatians 4:21-25 Tell me, you that desire to be under the law, do you not hear the law? For it is written, that Abraham had two sons, the one by a bondmaid, the other by a freewoman. But he who was of the bondwoman was born after the flesh; but he of the freewoman was by promise. Which things are an allegory: for these are the two covenants; the one from the mount Sinai, which gendered to bondage, which is Agar. For this Agar is mount Sinai in Arabia, and answered to Jerusalem which now is, and is in bondage with her children. 

‘That Abraham had two sons, the one by a bondmaid, the other by a freewoman.’ Recorded in Genesis 16:15 and 21:1-8. Abraham had six more sons from his second marriage to Keturah (Gen. 25:1-2).

‘After the flesh’ – that is, nothing supernatural in his birth for both parents were normal.

‘By promise’ – both parents were past age and it was impossible in the natural to have Isaac. So, by promise and by the supernatural renewal of youth he was born.

‘Allegory’ – an extended simile; a symbolic representation; natural or religious story, of which the lesson is the substance and the details are but accessories to the main point. The main idea is that Sarah and Hagar symbolize the old and new covenants. Hagar represents the Mosaic law that gendered to bondage and which has been cast out and abolished (4:24-25, 30). Sarah represents the new covenant that gives freedom from bondage and brings men to God, making them children of His by the new birth (4:26-31). The teaching is that the old covenant has been cast out and is no longer in force (4:30; Acts 15:1, 24).

‘Gendered to bondage’ – brings children into slavery to rites and ceremonies that never justify (2:16; 4:9; 5:1; Acts 15:10). This illustrates earthly Jerusalem which is in bondage with her children (4:25).

Travail in Birth Again Part 2

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Galatians 4:19-20 My little children, of whom I travail in birth again until Christ be formed in you, I desire to be present with you now, and to change my voice; for I stand in doubt of you. 

There are fifteen proofs that people can be born again more than once from the following Biblical facts: [1] All people had eternal life in Adam until he sinned. If he had not sinned, all people would have lived forever (Gen. 2:17; Rom. 5:12-21). The new birth of John 3:1-8 is a rebirth or a restoration to original life by the cancellation of the death penalty (Isa. 59:2; Matt. 1:21; John 3:16; Eph. 2:1-9). If this can thus happen once, it can happen again and again if necessary. [2] The gospel teaches forgiveness more than once – even 490 times (Matt. 18:21-22). Would God command people to do this, if He would not do it Himself? [3] If any believer sins, he has an advocate with the Father (1Jn. 2:1-2). What is this advocate for if not to restore backsliders to God? [4] If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us (1Jn. 1:9). [5] Peter was once converted, confessing Jesus as the Son of God and the Christ, which brings the new birth (1Jn. 5:1; Matt. 16:16). He even had the power to preach and heal and had the Spirit in him (Matt. 10:1-20). Jesus predicted his backsliding and reconversion (Luke 22:31-34), proving that a converted man can and must be reconverted if he sins as Peter did in Matthew 26:69-75. [6] James taught a reconversion after one sin and incurs the death penalty again (Jas. 5:19-20). [7] Paul taught that God can graft men in again (Rom. 11:18-24). [8] Paul taught that men who have even overthrown the faith of others can come to repentance again (2Tim. 2:17-26). [9] Paul taught a rebirth again of backsliders (4:19), those who had fallen from grace (1:6-8; 3:1-5; 4:19; 5:4). [10] Paul taught us to restore a sinning brother (6:1). How could this be if it is impossible or unnecessary? [11] In Hebrews 6:1 Paul teaches the laying again of the foundation of repentance if necessary. Only apostates cannot be renewed to repentance (Heb. 6:4-9; 10:26-29). The reason is that they have thrown away all faith in the only sacrifice that can renew them. Backsliders who still have faith in Christ can be renewed regardless of how low in sin they are. [12] Jesus taught a reconversion (Rev. 2:4-5, 16, 21-26; 3:3, 15, 16). [13] In Luke 15:1-32, Jesus taught us that a sheep, coin, or boy could become lost and found again. It would be illogical to argue they could be lost and found but once, or that, once being found, they could never be lost again. It would be still more unreasonable to argue that if any one of them was lost and never found again that it was never found. What would be the process and result of finding them any number of times should they be lost? The same thing is possible of people who go back to sin any number of times. [14] David was renewed again after he sinned (Ps. 51:1-14). [15] God taught Israel time and again that He would restore them if they would meet conditions (Isa. 1:16-18; Jer. 3:13-15; 4:1-4; 18:1-10; Hos. 6:1-3; 10:12-13; 2Chron. 7:14).

There is nothing made but what can be revived, restored, recast, refinished, rebuilt, reanimated, refashioned, and remade be proper and skilled workmen. Shall we say the Almighty God is the only one who cannot do His work over and over again if it needs to be done? Shall we say man alone cannot be forgiven, restored to favour, and recreated more than once?

‘I desire to be present with you now, and to change my voice; for I stand in doubt of you.’ I would like to be present with you to know the extent of your backslidings, to alter my tone and soften my rebukes, for I stand in doubt of you.

Travail in Birth Again Part 1

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Galatians 4:19-20 My little children, of whom I travail in birth again until Christ be formed in you, I desire to be present with you now, and to change my voice; for I stand in doubt of you. 

‘Travail’ [Greek: odino] birth pangs; travail (4:19, 27; Rev. 12:2). Paul had laboured in preaching, prayer, and tears to win them to Christ, so he considered them his children. They were very dear to him. Now he had to travail in birth again until they would come back to God and Christ be formed in them again. They had fallen from grace (1:6-8; 3:1-5; 4:19; 5:4) and had to be renewed in Christ again. This is not a physical birth, but the travail of the soul in prayer causing physical and spiritual sufferings which are very real.

‘Again’ [Greek: palin] again; restore once more; anew. It refers to something which could not be done again if it had not been done once before.

The New Birth: A moral and spiritual change, not a physical one (4:29; John 3:1-8). A change of heart, will, motives, desires, life and conduct, and not an organism (2Cor. 5:17-18). A change of masters, not of constitutional makeup of body, soul, or spirit (Rom. 6:11-23; 8:1-4). Adoption of one from the satanic family into the family of God (4:5; Rom. 8:14-16; Eph. 1:5). Not a coming into existence of the body, soul, or spirit, as in the natural birth, but a consecration of them to serve God and holiness instead of satan and sin (5:16-26; Rom. 6:16-22; 8:1-13; Col. 3:5-10). Not a begetting by the Holy Spirit in the sense that Jesus became and is the only begotten Son of God (John 1:14, 18; 3:16), but a renewal in righteousness and true holiness of one who is already in existence (Eph. 4:23-24; Col. 3:10; Ps. 51:10). A change of nature, but not the coming into existence of that nature (Rom. 3:24-25; 2Cor. 5:17; Tit. 3:5). A change of favour, a new standing before God (Rom. 5:1-2; Eph. 2:1-9; Tit. 2:11-14; 2Pet. 3:18; 1Jn. 3:8-10). A change of character, state and service (5:22-23; 1Cor. 13:1-13; Rom. 3:24-31; 5:1-11; 2Tim. 2:21; Tit. 2:11-14). There is no comparison between the natural and spiritual birth as to choose in the matter, conception, embryo, process, and the actual birth. The very moment one is grown enough to recognize he is a sinner and when he repents and believes the gospel a moral and spiritual change takes place (Mark 1:15; 2Cor. 5:17-18; Rom. 1:16; 10:9-10; Eph. 2:8-9; 1Jn. 1:9). The very moment he decides to sin again he has a moral fall, incurs the penalty of the broken law again and comes under the sentence of death again (5:4, 19-21; Jas. 1:13-15; 5:19-20; Rom. 6:11-23; 8:1-13; John 8:34; 2Pet. 2:19-22; Heb. 6:4-9; 10:26-29; 2Cor. 6:9-11; 1Jn. 3:8-10; Ezek. 18:4; etc.). If a person sins, he must be forgiven and restored or pay the death penalty as in Galatians 6:7-8 and the above scriptures.

To be continued…