You Have Your Fruit Unto Holiness -- Part 926

"If you continue in my Word, then you shall you be My disciples and know the truth. And, in knowing the truth, you shall be set free." (John 8:31-32)

"For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace." (Romans 6:14)

As we continue the study of Luke 16 -- known as the parable of the unjust steward -- we begin to see how humanity has been manipulated from the very beginning. We begin to understand how we have been beguiled with enticing words -- by the elemental spiritual forces of this world -- by allowing men to spoil us through philosophy and vain deceit after the traditions and rudiments of this world -- rather than through Christ Jesus our Saviour.

Paul elaborates on this point in Colossians chapter 2. He writes:

"For I would that you know [how I contend] for you and for them at Laodicea, and for as many as have not seen my face in the flesh, that their hearts may be comforted -- being knit together in love -- and unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding to the acknowledgement of the mystery of God and of the Father and of Christ -- in whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.

And this I say, lest any man should beguile you with enticing words -- for though I be absent in the flesh, yet am I with you in the spirit, joying and beholding your order, and the steadfastness of your faith in Christ. As you have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in Him -- rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith as you have been taught -- abounding therein with thanksgiving.

Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ. For in Him (Christ) dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily ... and you are complete in Him, which is the Head of all principality and power.

In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ, buried with Him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with Him through the faith of the operation of God who hath raised Him from the dead, And you being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh hath He quickened together with Him having forgiven you all trespasses ... blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us -- which was contrary to us -- and took it out of the way, nailing it to the cross.

And having spoiled principalities and powers, He made a show of them openly triumphing over them in it.

Let no man therefore judge you in meat or in drink, or in respect of any holy day or of the new moon, or of the Sabbath days -- which are a shadow of things to come, but the body is of Christ.

Let no man beguile you of your reward in a voluntary humility and worshipping of angels, intruding into those things which he hath not seen, vanity puffed up by his fleshly mind, and not holding the Head from which all the body by joints and bands having nourishment ministered and knit together increases with the increase of God.

Wherefore, if you be dead with Christ from the rudiments of the world, why, as though living in the world, are you subject to ordinances? (Touch not, taste not, handle not, which all are to perish with the using) after the commandments and doctrines of men? Which things have indeed a show of wisdom in will worship and humility and neglecting of the body, not in any honour to the satisfying of the flesh." (Colossians 2:1-23)

The point being -- since you died with Christ to the elemental spiritual forces of this world, why -- as though you still belonged to the world, do you submit to its rules? Rules that suggest that we can't handle or taste or touch -- these rules which have to do with things that are all destined to perish with use and likewise based on human commands and teachings. Indeed, such regulations that have an appearance of wisdom, with their self-imposed worship, their false humility and their harsh treatment of the body, but they lack any value in restraining sensual indulgence.

Or why are we willing to negotiate our Christianity -- becoming half-hearted in living the good news gospel of Jesus and His kingdom. (More on this point later)

These are the underlying messages that the unjust steward (or satan) in the Luke 16 parable does not want us to understand as believers in Jesus. The message that we are saved by His grace through the shedding of Jesus' blood on the cross of Calvary, and as such, have been set free once and for all -- renewed in our spirits, hearts and minds -- and thus, no longer captives to the whims and traditions of the worldly forces.

"No servant can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will hold to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon." (Luke 16:13)

"Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness." (Romans 6:18)

"But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life." (Romans 6:22)

In making your decision to believe on Jesus, and subsequently seeking His righteousness, let no man rob you of God's way of salvation for it is the Lord your God who is mankind's only Saviour. Jesus the Christ said, "I thank you Father that you have hid these things from the wise and prudent, but you have revealed these [important truths] to babes.

Let us then earnestly contend for this one faith that was delivered to us by the Lord Jesus. Still more to come on Luke chapter 16. Meanwhile, stand in the offering plate.