6 What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound?

² God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?

³ Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?

⁴ Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.

⁵ For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection:

⁶ Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.

⁷ For he that is dead is freed from sin.

⁸ Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him:

⁹ Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him.

¹⁰ For in that he died, he died unto sin once: but in that he liveth, he liveth unto God.

¹¹ Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.

We are saved by Grace Alone, through faith alone; then why must we fight sin in our own lives?  The second question is how do we fight sin in our lives?  Paul wanted the Roman Church to understand this.  They had incorporated many "activities and rituals into salvation" so that you might of your own strength clean up your life to make yourself acceptable.  This began in the earliest Roman Church and continued down through the ages in the Roman Catholic Church.  Paul spent many chapters explaining that salvation could only come by accepting the atonement of Christ and that no man of his own works could be saved.  Then he paused for a moment to answer the question that by that point many would ask, "If I am saved by grace, I can just continue on sinning and then God’s grace would be even more fully displayed".  To which Paul’s answer was, no.  If our thought is to believe that because of Grace I am freed to sin even more; then I don’t understand the devastation that sin brings into my life, nor do I understand the extreme price that Christ paid for my justification.  By justification through the blood of Christ, I must consider the cost and gratitude plus love would demand that each day I battle against sin, not in my own power; but in the power provided by that justification.  Christ’s sanctifying work in me begins the day I accept Christ as my Savior and continues until the day I stand before His Throne.  It is a lifelong process of transforming me.  If I can be content and happy while sinning then chances are I never understood salvation nor accepted Christ.  He is continually transforming my life, revealing the evil hidden deep in my heart so that I might war against it through His Power and not my own.  I must die to all those selfish pride filled desires that present themselves in my life and thoughts through prayer, Bible Study, and renouncing their power.  When Satan comes at me with his accusations that I am a sinner, I can stand firm and tell him so what of it, Christ died for my sins and I am freed from those chains of sin with the power of Christ as my only fortress.  For me to ever make headway in this battle against sin in my life, I must recognize that the only power to overcome sin is the power given me in Christ, alone.  His power working through to will and to do as He pleases.  I bow before the throne and accept whatever He wills to place in my life that He might teach me and guide me along this pathway.  My Joy in Christ is destroyed by sin when I relax and relish in it or it’s guilt.  So I must fight sin so that my joy in Christ is able to be experienced. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pXLiWhAlA34   John Piper excerpt

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JU5E4fBXObg   In Christ Alone as sung at First Baptist Orlando

For the words to In Christ Alone, I recommend that you go to http://www.gettymusic.com/hymns-inchristalone.aspx

There you will find this song and many other songs that I consider some of the greatest Christian music of our time. 

Philippians 4:  ⁴ Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice.

⁵ Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand.

⁶ Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.

⁷ And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

⁸ Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

⁹ Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.

If we look around us we have a hard time holding onto joy.  We listen to the news and hear about the distress in our country and the world.  There are so many without jobs and there seems to be no answer coming.  Sickness, illness and death surrounds us and we see so many tragedies in the medical field; how can we possibly hold fast to joy?  Physicians who have dedicated their lives to working hard caring for patients are being pushed out of practice by new policies and new insurance regulations.  We look at the inequities that pay large amounts for entertainment; yet, underpay law officers and teachers while demanding more and more of them.  We are pressed from every side by people who are anxious and depressed.  There are moments when their unrest so invades our soul that our empathetic nature becomes like a sponge absorbing their pain into our very souls.  Beyond that we may have our own financial and health issues which press us against the wall.  Our guilt invades, maybe I should have done that better or maybe if I hadn’t helped that person; I would not be in this position.  From chapter 4 of Philippians it appears that Paul is addressing the same issues with the people of Philippi.  If you look further into the chapter he refers to the fact that they had recently sent to him a gift of items (food, clothing, etc) that he had been in need of.  It had been a time period that they were so caught up in their own lack that they did not see his need.  He commands them Rejoice in the Lord.  If I truly believe that the God of the Universe is my friend and my Father through adoption, then why should I ever be filled with sorrow?  Circumstances are mere circumstances, unless we see them through the eyes of our Heavenly Father who loves us.  So many new wave preachers try to tell us that prosperity will be ours on earth if we "name and claim it"; as though, God were some great Santa Claus who hands us all the counterfeit joys we want so that we might trust in our possessions instead of trusting in our relationship with Him. The only thing that can bring us peace and joy is that relationship with Him in which we daily look to Him for today’s needs, today’s joy, today’s strength and today’s hope.  We also have that hope in future grace which will hold us until one day He returns to take us home where our joy will overflow in the presence of His love.  Here Paul reminds us when all that surrounds you looks dark and bleak, pray and let God’s peace then fill your hearts and minds. Then, think on those things that are true, honest, just, lovely, and virtuous.  Be reminded of all things that you might praise God for today.  Steady your mind.  As you focus on those things and thank God for them, your own mind will turn to peace and joy.  In this world that so desires to destroy our peace and our joy we must fight for joy. Spend time alone with God and His word.  If you don’t understand the concept of "fighting for Joy";  I recommend that you read and study some of John Piper’s teachings.  Let me give you this following outline of steps written by John Piper on January 1, 1995 concerning "How Shall We Fight for Joy"  1. Realize that authentic joy in God is a gift.

2. Realize that joy must be fought for relentlessly.

3. Resolve to attack all known sin in your life.

4. Learn the secret of gutsy guilt – how to fight like a justified sinner.

5. Realize that the battle is primarily a fight to see God for who he is.

6. Meditate on the Word of God day and night.

7. Pray earnestly and continually for open heart-eyes and an inclination for God.

8. Learn to preach to yourself rather than listen to yourself.

9. Spend time with God-saturated people who help you see God and fight the fight.

10. Be patient in the night of God’s seeming absence.

11. Get the rest and exercise proper diet that your body was designed by God to have.

12. Make a proper use of God’s revelation in nature.

13. Read great books about God and biographies of great saints.

14. Do the hard and loving thing for the sake of others (witness and mercy).

15. Get a global vision for the cause of Christ and pour yourself out for the unreached.

©2013 Desiring God Foundation. Used by Permission.

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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MMhTFzzvIs4

Deuteronomy 6: The Lord our God is one Lord:

⁵ And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might.

Do you love the Lord thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might? 

Psalm 108: O God, my heart is fixed; I will sing and give praise, even with my glory.

² Awake, psaltery and harp: I myself will awake early.

³ I will praise thee, O Lord, among the people: and I will sing praises unto thee among the nations.

⁴ For thy mercy is great above the heavens: and thy truth reacheth unto the clouds.

⁵ Be thou exalted, O God, above the heavens: and thy glory above all the earth;

⁶ That thy beloved may be delivered: save with thy right hand, and answer me.

Do you see yourself as the beloved of God, betrothed by a covenant promise to be loved eternally?  Has His love so wooed you that you have fallen so completely in love with Him that you long to see Him, face to face, and you are awaiting His return, listening for His voice and reading His love letters over and over again–so that you keep that love afresh?

Song of Solomon 2: ¹⁰ My beloved spake, and said unto me, Rise up, my love, my fair one, and come away.

¹¹ For, lo, the winter is past, the rain is over and gone;

¹² The flowers appear on the earth; the time of the singing of birds is come, and the voice of the turtle is heard in our land;

¹³ The fig tree putteth forth her green figs, and the vines with the tender grape give a good smell. Arise, my love, my fair one, and come away.

¹⁴ O my dove, that art in the clefts of the rock, in the secret places of the stairs, let me see thy countenance, let me hear thy voice; for sweet is thy voice, and thy countenance is comely.

¹⁵ Take us the foxes, the little foxes, that spoil the vines: for our vines have tender grapes.

¹⁶ My beloved is mine, and I am his: he feedeth among the lilies.

¹⁷ Until the day break, and the shadows flee away, turn, my beloved, and be thou like a roe or a young hart upon the mountains of Bether.

The song of Solomon represents a love story between the shepherd King and an outcast maiden.  When she first falls in love with him, the maiden believes him to be a simple shepherd boy.  He promises to return one day to marry her.  When he does, he returns as the king.   The story serves as a beautiful picture of Christ’s love for His Bride (the church).  Paul refers to this concept in 2 Corinthians 11(amp)

^"2 For I am ^[a]zealous for you with a godly eagerness and a divine jealousy, for I have betrothed you to one Husband, to present you as a chaste virgin to Christ.

³ But [now] I am fearful, lest that even as the serpent beguiled Eve by his cunning, so your minds may be corrupted and seduced from wholehearted and sincere and pure devotion to Christ."

The song of Solomon is one of unconditional love that accepts the bride to be just as they are and transforms her into the queen she will be.  Just as Christ’s love for us, who accepts us as we are and transforms us by His love.   Do we love our Shepherd King?  Are we awaiting His return?  Have you accepted His proposal? 

Christ spoke of this in Matthew 25: "Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom.

² And five of them were wise, and five were foolish.

³ They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them:

⁴ But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps.

⁵ While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept.

⁶ And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him.

⁷ Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps.

⁸ And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out.

⁹ But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves.

¹⁰ And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut.

¹¹ Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us.

¹² But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not.

¹³ Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh."

The offer of salvation is to all who would believe.  There are many who might believe that there was a Christ and that He is returning; but have never accepted Him as their Savior, because they believe there is still time.  The oil in the lamps refers to those who have accepted Christ as their Savior and have the indwelling Holy Spirit.  Those without oil are those who are waiting to accept Christ later, another day.  Do Your Lamps Have Oil? 

Revelation 22: ¹⁷ And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D5ecjZJaqDg

Psalm 86 Bow down thine ear, O Lord, hear me: for I am poor and needy.

² Preserve my soul; for I am holy: O thou my God, save thy servant that trusteth in thee.

³ Be merciful unto me, O Lord: for I cry unto thee daily.

⁴ Rejoice the soul of thy servant: for unto thee, O Lord, do I lift up my soul.

⁵ For thou, Lord, art good, and ready to forgive; and plenteous in mercy unto all them that call upon thee.

⁶ Give ear, O Lord, unto my prayer; and attend to the voice of my supplications.

⁷ In the day of my trouble I will call upon thee: for thou wilt answer me.

⁸ Among the gods there is none like unto thee, O Lord; neither are there any works like unto thy works.

⁹ All nations whom thou hast made shall come and worship before thee, O Lord; and shall glorify thy name.

¹⁰ For thou art great, and doest wondrous things: thou art God alone.

¹¹ Teach me thy way, O Lord; I will walk in thy truth: unite my heart to fear thy name.

¹² I will praise thee, O Lord my God, with all my heart: and I will glorify thy name for evermore.

¹³ For great is thy mercy toward me: and thou hast delivered my soul from the lowest hell.

¹⁴ O God, the proud are risen against me, and the assemblies of violent men have sought after my soul; and have not set thee before them.

¹⁵ But thou, O Lord, art a God full of compassion, and gracious, long suffering, and plenteous in mercy and truth.

¹⁶ O turn unto me, and have mercy upon me; give thy strength unto thy servant, and save the son of thine handmaid.

¹⁷ Shew me a token for good; that they which hate me may see it, and be ashamed: because thou, Lord, hast helped me, and comforted me.

David in this Chapter is praying to God; praying out for strength and hope, because of God’s mercy.  He is asking that God unite his heart to God’s that he might understand and revere His name and His righteousness.  He is rejoicing over the mercy of God and God’s loving kindness to his servant David.  As I was reading and studying this verse, I got stuck on the first half of verse 2.

"Preserve my soul; for I am holy|"  So was David asking God’s help because David believed he deserved it due to his own holiness?  So I began a search through a Scofield Study Bible and the Liberty Study Bible.  Then I reviewed this verse in multiple translations of which I did find a few who translated it differently.  I went to one of my favorite preacher’s website and searched for sermons by scripture and it appeared this verse was never preached.  I could just … and leave it out; or could I?  I knew that David had repeatedly in this chapter referred to God’s mercy and that God had delivered his soul from hell; so, he understood that it was not his own holiness that gave him a right to stand before a Holy, Righteous God and that he (David) held no merit on his own.  So I searched the Hebrew text with it’s literal word by word translation and it said "Preserve my soul, I am a godly I"  Okay, still slightly stuck.  Never; however, take scripture out of context.  In this prayer, there are enemies that are seeking to kill David.  David refers in this that he is innocent of the charges they have brought against him. Further searching of the Hebrew word.The Hebrew word used here is – חסיד châsı̂yd – means properly, benevolent, kind; then, good, merciful, gracious; and then pious, godly.  David had shown mercy toward those who wanted him dead because of his faith in the covenant promises that God had made to him personally.  Twice, he had the opportunity to kill King Saul while Saul and his army were in pursuit of David; yet, he chose to demonstrate mercy toward King Saul, because David trusted and believed in God’s preserving power over his own life.  So perhaps the better way of looking at this is "Lord, please show mercy on thy servant who has dealt with my enemy mercifully; because my trust is in You, Lord".   Lesson to be learned?  God is merciful and gracious toward us whom have placed our faith in Him, those who are blessed by his covenant promises of present and Future Grace.  So if I truly trust Him, then I will be merciful toward those who wish to cause me harm.  I like David must ask for God’s guidance to teach me to have reverence toward Him and to teach me how to be kind, benevolent, and merciful to all.  The final question is "How much do I really trust God to do all that He has promised?"

Watchman Nee became a Christian in mainland China in 1920 at the age of seventeen and began writing in the same year. In his book, "Watchman Nee’s Testimonies"  he wrote,

“On the evening of 28th April, 1920, I was alone in my room, struggling to decide whether or not to believe in the Lord. At first I was reluctant but as I tried to pray I saw the magnitude of my sins and the reality and efficacy of Jesus as the Saviour. As I visualized the Lord’s hands stretched out on the cross, they seemed to be welcoming me and the Lord was saying, “I am waiting here to receive you.” Realizing the effectiveness of Christ’s blood in cleansing my sins and being overwhelmed by such love, I accepted him there. Previously I had laughed at people who had accepted Jesus, but that evening the experience became real for me and I wept and confessed my sins, seeking the Lord’s forgiveness. As I made my first prayer I knew joy and peace such as I had never known before. Light seemed to flood the room and I said to the Lord, “Oh, Lord, you have indeed been gracious to me”

He was imprisoned and tortured for the last 20 years of his life because of his faith in Christ.  He wrote many books.  He never rose up against his enemies; rather, he showed them mercy demonstrating Christ’s resurrection life through his own body.

“Christ is the Son of God who died for the

redemption of sinners and resurrected after three days. This is the greatest truth in the universe. I die because of my belief in Christ.”— Watchman Nee

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pwXjc1HqQUU

Isaiah 53: ³ He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not.

⁴ Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.

⁵ But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.

⁶ All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.

⁷ He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth.

⁸ He was taken from prison and from judgment: and who shall declare his generation? for he was cut off out of the land of the living: for the transgression of my people was he stricken.

⁹ And he made his grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death; because he had done no violence, neither was any deceit in his mouth.

¹⁰ Yet it pleased the Lord to bruise him; he hath put him to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the Lord shall prosper in his hand.

¹¹ He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities.

The old Testament Prophet Isaiah foretold of the coming Messiah who would be rejected by His own.  He would come to suffer and to die so that the penalty for the transgressions of man might be paid so that a Righteous and Just God might commune with mankind.  God had created mankind so that he might share his overflowing love, joy, and glory with them; but man preferred the creation over the creator and broke that bond.  God hates sin.  He knows that it only causes destruction, anger, bitterness, sorrow, and separation.  He knows that the only way for man to fully experience the love and joy he was intended for is to have a close relationship with his Creator.  God is perfect Righteousness, Perfect Peace, Perfect Love, Perfect Joy and Perfect Glory.  Christ came and took upon himself human flesh so that he might experience all the temptations, sorrows, hunger, thirst, and pains; yet, without sin. He was accused by the very ones He had come to save.  He was beaten and mocked.  He then willingly hung upon a cross, high upon a hill where all who passed by would see him hanging there in nakedness, shame, and pain bearing upon His shoulders the sin and guilt of all of mankind.  He will return one day to destroy all the remnants of sin.  He waits patiently so that all who are willing to accept the gift of reconciliation that He offers.  He is wanting to give you His righteousness in exchange for your trangression, if you are willing to believe that He is the Son of God who was slain in your place. 

Revelation 5: And I saw in the right hand of him that sat on the throne a book written within and on the backside, sealed with seven seals.

² And I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, Who is worthy to open the book, and to loose the seals thereof?

³ And no man in heaven, nor in earth, neither under the earth, was able to open the book, neither to look thereon.

⁴ And I wept much, because no man was found worthy to open and to read the book, neither to look thereon.

⁵ And one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not: behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof.

⁶ And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth.

⁷ And he came and took the book out of the right hand of him that sat upon the throne.

⁸ And when he had taken the book, the four beasts and four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odours, which are the prayers of saints.

⁹ And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation;

¹⁰ And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.

¹¹ And I beheld, and I heard the voice of many angels round about the throne and the beasts and the elders: and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands;

¹² Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing.

¹³ And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TQh1cjZLmUo