Howbeit, That Was Not First Spiritual, But That Which Is Natural, And Afterward That Which Is Spiritual - Part 2094

"Wherefore, my brethren, ye also are become dead to the law by the body of Christ; that ye should be married to another, even to Him who is raised from the dead, that we should bring forth fruit unto God. For when we were in the flesh, the motions of sins, which were by the law, did work in our members to bring forth fruit unto death. But now we are delivered from the law, that being dead wherein we were held; that we should serve in newness of spirit, and not in the oldness of the letter." (Romans 7:4-6)

This scriptural passage confirms that we who believe in Jesus by faith are saved because of the Lord's grace and mercy, and not of ourselves. Similarly, between the old covenant under the law, and the new testament, there had to be a changing of the guard, if you will. In other words, in order for the new testament to be ushered in, the Holy Ghost had to first signify "that the way into the holiest of all was not yet made manifest, while as the first tabernacle was yet standing ..." (Hebrews 9:8) 

This is critical to understanding the current dispensation in which we live, the fullness of times, and that in this New Testament side, the Lord was about to do a new thing, wherein the dayspring from on high would visit His people.  God Himself manifest in the flesh to deliver to the world His glorious plan of salvation. That is, He was in the world and the world was made by Him and the world knew Him not. (John 1:10-11; John 1:1-18) Nevertheless, He declared peace and good will to all, when the Holy Ghost overshadowed Mary so that she could bring forth a Son. 

As Mary said, " ...  My soul doth magnify the Lord and my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour." (Luke 1:46-47)

David made a similar statement in the psalms, stating, "Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord; and the people whom He hath chosen for His own inheritance." (Psalm 33:12)

We are seeing the first -- the Old Testament -- that was not spiritual but natural being replaced by the new, wherein the Lord has made a way for our sins to be forgiven -- when there was no way. To wit, that God was in Christ reconciling the world unto Himself. (II Corinthians 5:17) He paid the ultimate price -- a hefty price -- when He shed His precious holy blood on a cross for you and I. 

Indeed, "the first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was made a quickening Spirit. Howbeit that was not first which is spiritual, but that which is natural; and afterward that which is spiritual. The first man is of the earth, earthy: the second man is the Lord from heaven. As is the earthy, such are they also that are earthy: and as is the heavenly, such are they also that are heavenly. And as we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly." (I Corinthians 15:45-49)

Further, in Hebrews 9, the scripture saith, "How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?" (Hebrews 9:14)

"And for this cause, He is the mediator of the new testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions [that were] under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance. For where a testament [is], there must also of necessity be the death of the testator. For a testament [is] of force after men are dead: otherwise it is of no strength at all while the testator liveth. Whereupon neither the first [testament] was dedicated without blood. For the Testament is confirmed when men are dead: for it is yet of no force as long as he that made it, is alive. Wherefore, neither was the first ordained without blood." (Hebrews 9:15-18)

Legally, there had to be a purchase. This is why "after the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man. appeared." (Titus 4:3) And this abundant mercy toward His people has never changed at any point throughout the passage of time. The plan of salvation that was hid in the bosom of the Father from the very beginning, and yes, even before the world was formed, was so important that time stood still. The earth shook because this same Jesus whom ye/we have crucified is now both Lord and Christ.

You see, Jesus is no longer on a cross. He is now the living Christ, or as Thomas said upon thrusting his hand inside Jesus' side -- "my Lord and my God!" (John 20:28) His selfless (but so costly to Him) sacrifice for us who believe in the Lord Jesus by faith now sets us free from the bondage of this world. And after His precious holy blood was shed on that cross (and the purchase paid in full), we who believe have been set free fro all sorts of religious bondage. 

What did Jesus say? "

"The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, because He hath anointed Me to preach the gospel to the poor; He hath sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised ...." (Luke 4:18)

But note also, that after He was taken up, He through the Holy Ghost gave commandments unto the apostles whom He had chosen. Now that is love -- abundant love, manifold much love, and indeed, as I so oft state, this is the greatest love story ever told. But in order to understand how much the cross must have grieved our Lord God leading up to the time He would clothe Himself in sin prone flesh (and yet without sin) , before He became our Saviour is clearly evident in the old, when the prophets foretold of the events which were to come. 

"And they that know Thy Name will put their trust in Thee: for Thou, Lord, hast not forsaken them that seek Thee." (Psalm 9:10)

 

One example of the Lord speaking through Isaiah is this -- "My people hath been lost sheep: their shepherds have caused them to go astray, they have turned them away on the mountains: they have gone from mountain to hill, they have forgotten their resting place." (Jeremiah 50:6)

Making the situation worse is that many churches are failing to teach the way, the truth and the life -- JESUS, for He shall save His people from their sins. (Matthew 1:18-23) 

There is definitely more to come on this topic. But rather than overwhelm you, it is important that we understand context, and the Lord's purpose in every single thing we do. Meditate upon these blessings this day. More to come on this particular subject in the days ahead. 

Stand in the offering plate.