Living Hill Christian Church

God’s Grace in Romans – Revitalized by the Spirit

We saw in our last discussion that, our reality is produced by the power of our minds; if our minds are stayed upon the truth of God’s word we will produce the life therein, but if our mind is carnal, then it is absent from God’s will, therefore, will produce death.

Even So the apostle continues;

So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God. Romans 8:8

A man without the spirit cannot please God. Faith is a fruit of the Spirit, it is not found in the power of the flesh but in dependence on the Spirit of God.

They that worship God in the flesh without the Spirit cannot please him. This is the huge difference the Christian religion holds with others.

We contact God spirit to spirit and mere observance of fleshly rudiments doesn’t come close to pleasing God. We please God by faith and faith is a fruit of the Spirit of God in a man.

For we hear the apostle explain this huge difference;

But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his. Romans 8:9

Paul explains here very clearly what it means to be in the flesh and to be in the Spirit. The Spirit of God in a man is the difference.

Every born again child of God is in the Spirit and all unbelievers are in the flesh, hence, they can’t please God.

There’s only one way to God and that way is Christ dwelling in a man through his Spirit. Those religions that problem we are also God’s children but reject Christ “are none of his.”

Although the believer cannot be in the flesh, he can go after the flesh. This is why Paul here explains the core difference. We can be tempted and may go carnal; however, we cannot live therein any longer. We are dead to the nature of sin and alive to God through his spirit in us.

Again observe this statement carefully “Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.”

This means that having the Spirit of Christ in a man is what defines our faith, it is not that we believe that one day Christ will come and live in us, No, he lives in us right now and if he is not in you then you are not a child of God.

But if he is in you then we a hear;

And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness. Romans 8:10

This is not a maybe or maybe not issue, this is absolutely none negotiable; Christ must be in you right now and if he is you then you are born again, and if you are, then, though the effect of the sin nature was that your flesh died, it became weak, sick and irresponsive to God.

Now the impact of the new nature is that the Spirit is presently the life of the flesh because he is a righteous spirit.

What destroyed the body was the old sinful nature – what revives the body is the new righteous nature; the spirit of Christ in us.

Just like if someone has cancer and the effect was that body parts are chopped off. Even though the cancer maybe gone, the effects will still be there, the parts chopped off will not be there.

Even so the old nature, though gone, has left its effects, but we have hope, the new spirit is now the life of our flesh.

And so we hear the apostle explain more;

But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you. Romans 8:11

The apostle here compels us with a powerful picture of Christ’s resurrection. That the same way the Lord’s Spirit came back and entered his body, destroying death and every consequence, any one that has received the Spirit of Christ is revitalized. The Holy Spirit has vitalized our death doomed bodies.

Observe how we have followed this present reality in context; it does not talk of the future but a present experience. Observe again this statement “his Spirit that dwelleth in you” not shall dwell in you.

If you are born again then he dwells in you and as you believe this word and start confessing the reality in your life, you will receive this full quickening into your soul and body and the depressive and suicidal thoughts, the weaknesses and sicknesses, the curse of death will be broken over you.

You will experience the resurrection power of God transforming your body for Christ is a life giving Spirit.

Confession

Thank you heavenly Father for the blessedness of making me a partaker of the Spirit of Christ, in Christ, my body is revitalized.

The curse of death is broken and the Law of the Spirit of life is at work in my members. I refuse to be sick and I refuse to die.

I experience the incorruptible life of Christ in all my members. I am strong and healthy walking in the health and wealth of Christ. Glory to God!

Prophetic Insight

As many sons are pushing forward to enter into this great door of authority, power and wealth, the warfare is strong.

I saw adversaries pressing in on the Lord’s soldiers but I heard a chant of victory in the Spirit as these ones began to proclaim the victors’ declaration “I shall not die, but live, and declare the works of the LORD.”

As I saw this, victory broke out I heard the Lord Say “Dear one, I have not given you over to death, I have only allowed you to be refined to work the works of your God.

This is the moment of your deliverance. Take your liberty and rise.

Don’t be discouraged, you are entering and shall show forth my mighty deeds to your generation”

I shall not die, but live, and declare the works of the LORD. The LORD hath chastened me sore: but he hath not given me over unto death. Open to me the gates of righteousness: I will go into them, and I will praise the LORD: Psalms 118:17-19

Blessings in Christ;
~Pastor Jahfas Victor Ahua
Living Hill Christian Church

God’s Grace in Romans – The Power of Your Mind

We saw in our last discussion that the righteousness of the law is fulfilled by Christ and deposited in us as a Free Gift, today; we are qualified to partake of the unsearchable riches of Christ.

Then we hear the apostle continue;

For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. Romans 8:4

They that go after carnal things have their minds set on physical or fleshly things. The word translated above for flesh is the Greek word SARX and it means flesh as stripped of the skin, the meat of an animal, a symbol of external things etc… (Strong’s G4561).

You see, I admit that to go after the flesh also means to indulge in sinful acts, however, it is not just limited to that in this context: to be fleshly minded means to set your mind on external things.

For example, we learnt in the preceding verse (4) that the righteousness of the law is fulfilled in us.

However, if you go out there and find yourself missing the mark, maybe saying what you ought not to have said, the mind that is carnal will argue that ‘if I am righteous then why am I still failing?’

How can God still love me now after everything I have done?
How can I still be qualified for this blessing knowing what I have done?

That’s a fleshly mind, a mind that is set only on the external things. The mind that is set on the spirit will look beyond that and realize that the righteousness of the law is fulfilled in me and not by me.

I don’t have to fulfill the law for God to bless me, I am blessed by the obedience of Christ, even though I have failed I believe God still loves me and I am qualified by the righteousness of Christ.

I may not feel healed but I believe by the stripes of Jesus I am healed. That’s a spiritual mind.

For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Romans 8:5

When you think you are a sinner you will give birth to sin, when you think you are righteous, you will produce righteousness. Your reality is produced by the power of your mind, for “as he thinks in is heart, so is he” Proverb 23:7

The word translated above for carnally is still the same word SARX translated flesh in verse 4, this is why I shared with us in context it does not necessary means sinfulness.

To fix your mind on external things =death. Notice it doesn’t say to be carnally minded tends to death but carnal mindedness is death.

Death here doesn’t just speak of eternal death or departing from this world, but it encapsulates everything that came as a result of sin; depression, sickness, etc.

If you are depressed it just means that you have set your mind on carnal things, you are looking on things on the external.

It is never God’s fault that we are sick or depressed it’s always because we have let something else be planted in our minds.

On the other hand we hear that “to be spiritually minded is life and peace.”
You may ask, what does it mean to be spiritually minded?

It means to be word minded. The Lord said “the words that I speak unto you they are spirit and they are life” John 6:63

When you set your mind on what the word says concerning you the reality of the word becomes your experience. As you behold you are transformed into the same image.

In Romans 12:1-2, we are told to present our bodies, our entire physical circumstances before God and refuse to judge things after the world’s system but to renew our minds to what the word says concerning our circumstances, and we shall be transformed into the image of the word set in our hearts.

However, if we do not take upon us kingdom thinking, our minds are absent from the Lord, hence, the mind has become an enemy of the word or law of God;

Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. Romans 8:6

As Christians we walk by faith; heeding only to the word and not by sight or carnal observations. When we set our minds on sight – we are far from the will of God. Our minds are eliminated from the will of God for they are producing the reality we have planted in them.

Confession

I set my mind on Spiritual things. I refuse to judge by what I see but I judge by the testimony of the word.

The word says I am righteous; I believe and confess I am the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus; healed, delivered and set free. My life only radiates the glory and perfections of Christ. Glory to God!

Prophetic Insight

I saw as many sons and daughters of the Lord have prayed good prayers for years waiting to receive the harvest of their prayers.

The Lord began to minster to me that have been in his Good will, now

“Many of my sons and daughters are about to enter into my acceptable will. I have accepted your cries and you are going to be accepted in your ecosystem.

I am heightening the apostolic authority over you and you are going to command great changes in your sphere and even in the body of Christ. Many men and women will take direction by the sound of your voice.”

And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. Romans 12:2

Blessings in Christ;
~Pastor Jahfas Victor Ahua
Living Hill Christian Church.

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God’s Grace in Romans – All Requirements fulfilled

We saw from our previous discussion that the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set us free from the law of sin and death.

Then we hear the apostle continue;

For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: Romans 8:3

This freedom that we have today is a freedom from the penalty of sin, having received the gift of eternal life and righteousness, this is what the law was intended to give, however, the intent was defeated.

The law was like an exam; get a 100% score and God gives you the prize. But this awesome plan was defeated.

You may ask; why was the law defeated?

The law made an offer, that if the flesh could meet up with its demands for perfection then life and righteousness would be issued forth by God.

But the law was defeated, so we hear “For what the law could not do,” not because the law itself was weak- for the law is perfect (Romans 7:12), however, it was because of the weakness of the flesh, “in that it was weak through the flesh.”

There was no power in the flesh of a fallen man to fulfill the demands of the law. Only a perfect and sinless man could meet up with that; so only the Lion of the tribe of Judah was able to overcome and to receive the life and righteousness of God as the prize.

God had to become a man in the person of Jesus, God was made manifest in flesh, his flesh looked like every other fallen man’s flesh but it was only “in the likeness of sinful flesh,” that he descended.

It was actually a sinless flesh fully sufficient for the requirements of an undefiled and well approved sacrifice for sin.

When God looked at him having qualified, he accepted him as the perfect offering for sin and God in his son’s flesh “condemned sin in the flesh.”

This does not mean that God looked at Jesus and said ‘I condemn sin in your flesh, there shall be no more sin imputation.’ No, never. The word used above for condemned is from the Greek word katakrino and it means “to judge against, that is to sentence…’’ (Strong’s G2632).

Jesus perfectly kept the law and received eternal life and righteousness as the prize but it wasn’t what he needed for he was already perfect, it was for imperfect people as you and I.

But to give to us this prize the justice of God must be satisfied; you can’t have a prize in a race you have not competed in. So Jesus said to the father, let them have my place while I take their place in death (1 Peter. 3:18).

So the Lord God emptied his wrath upon the body of Jesus. God judged sin against his own righteous son, sentenced him to death so;

That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. Romans 8:4

So he fulfilled the demands of the law in our place. The righteous requirements of the law were now fulfilled by Christ in our place. Observe it does not say ‘by us’ but “in us.’’

He fulfilled it and came to live in us, so when we receive Jesus the law is fulfilled in us but not by us. Huge difference!

This is why he said;

Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil. Mathew 5:17

Another beautiful thing now is that, not only did we receive righteousness; we also received eternal life which is the life of God.

Through the help of the Holy Spirit the life of God in us can now find expression in our bodies, we can now live vibrant holy lives that the law couldn’t produce in us.

Confession

Thank you Lord for taking my place in Judgment; today my sins are judged in the body of Christ and I have received his life and righteousness.

The requirements for eternal life which comes with the health, power, wealth, joy, peace and all-round perfect well-being is fulfilled in me.

Hence, my life is a perpetual manifestation of the fullness of God. Glory to God!

Prophetic Insight

In this encounter, the Lord began to share with me on what to engage in walking into the open door he has placed for many in the Body of Christ.

He began to explain to me that “I am about taking many sons and daughters to the next stage of authority, where the things that limited them are waded off.

A place of greater glory, a place of global acceptance in the display of my glory.

However –my power must be put at work in them through prayer. Those that will give themselves to prayer and fasting this season will walk into this door which I have set before them.”

For a great door and effectual is opened unto me, and there are many adversaries. 1Corinthians 16:9

For the earth bringeth forth fruit of herself; first the blade, then the ear, after that the full corn in the ear. Mark 4:28

NB. Stages in The manifestation of God’s kingdom: First the blade –then The ear – then The full corn in the ear”

Blessings in Christ,
Pastor Jahfas Victor Ahua
Living Hill Christian Church

God’s Grace in Romans –Freedom by The Law of The Spirit of Life

We saw from our last discussion that, here in Christ, there is therefore zero condemnation coming to us from God. Then we hear the Apostle continue;

For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death. Romans 8:2

We saw in the previous chapter the depravity of man in keeping the law because of the wantonness of the flesh which is called a law, since it is totally unable to respond to the things of God, completely dead in sin. Then chapter 8 opens up the freedom we have in Christ, a freedom from condemnation.

But this verse here now goes further in proffering a living hope to the impotent flesh. What the power of the flesh could not beget, by the power of the Holy Spirit we are delivered from the bondage of “the law of sin and death.”

This law of sin and death can be explained as the influence of sin and the resultant wages of this influence. That is “when we sin we receive death instead of life or when we sin we receive the curse instead of blessing.”

The scripture reveals that the only wages of sin is death (Rom 6:23).This means the things that came as a result of sin are all under the umbrella of death.

If it were possible to keep the law of God through the power of the flesh then the blessings of Deuteronomy 28:1-14 would come to us. However, if we are not able to accomplish the demands then the curses (Sickness, Fear, poverty, death etc…) mentioned in Deuteronomy 28:15-68 becomes ours.

Inversely, here is the beautiful thing, because our nature of sin is exchanged for the new nature, we now have the Spirit of God as our new life and he cannot be cursed, hence, by this Spirit of life we have being set free from the law of sin and death even though we have not perfectly kept the law of God.

We are no longer under a “do good get good – do bad get bad” relationship with God any more. We no longer get what we deserve but we get what the Spirit deserves. We get what only Jesus deserves.

He took our place by becoming a curse, paying all the wages by his death, and has redeemed us from the curse of the law of sin and death having given to us the Spirit of blessing, even the Spirit of life.

Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree: That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith. Galatians 3:13-14.

This is why Jesus had to die, if there was any other way to pay for sin then he wouldn’t have needed to come. Since only death is the wages of sin, our Lord didn’t hesitate, the son of God loved us enough to become cursed, practically received our sins into his body, was condemned and sentenced to death.

Died and took our place in hell, was raised to life having satisfied every demand of justice. Today he gives to everyone that believes his resurrected Spirit which can never be condemned or cursed again. This is the true blessing of Abraham, and this is the law of life.

Confession

Thank you dear Jesus! Today I have the spirit of life which has delivered me from a do good get good – do bad get bad relationship with God. The law of sin and death is defeated for I have the Spirit of blessing functioning in my life.

Every fiber of my being is invigorated with the miracle working life of God; my world energized and set on the course of eternal victory. Glory to God!

Prophetic Insight

In an encounter with the Lord I heard “I have seen your faithfulness, with the little strength you have you have endured in the face of cruel trials. Patiently waiting to receive the manifestation of my promise, now I say to you dear child, ‘I give you this open door which no man can shut.’

It is time to walk into the promise dear child. I have put a permanent embargo on the forces that fought your entering into my glorious estate. Push through and enter into this victorious next phase of your life.”

I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name. Revelation 3:8

Blessings in Christ,
~Pastor Jahfas Victor Ahua
Living Hill Christian Church

God’s Grace in Romans – No More Condemnation

We saw from out last discussion that we are altogether wretched, completely impotent of serving God in our strength, however, blessed be God for the glorious life of Christ at work in us. Then the apostle continues;

There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. Romans 8:1

You see, there are three words from the above verse that are needful in reconnoitering the subject of no condemnation right before us. The words; “therefore,” “now,” and “no,”

First; ‘therefore,’ which is a conjunction term used in drawing conclusion from a previous discussion. This word therefore means “For that reason” “consequently” or “in consequence of,” as defined by various English dictionaries.

So for what reason did Paul make the above conclusion of no condemnation? This is where we have to remember his previous discussion in the forgoing chapter. We saw him conclude in the last two verses about his wretched state, Romans 7:24-25;

O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death? I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin. Romans 7:24-25

Where he differentiates his flesh from his spirit, that the flesh even after salvation, is still under the effects of sin , however, his spirit is alive to God.

This means that he is not totally free from the presence of sin – though free from its inherent nature (Romans 7:21).

This is why he concludes “I myself serve (present continuous tense) with the flesh – the law of sin.”

So how can he be guiltless before a perfectly holy God? He now finds the answer in Romans 8:1

“There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus”

In the context of his discussion, this answer is not freedom for sinless people but absolute freedom from the guilt and condemnation of the presence of sin for wretched believer; those who are alive to their weak and hopeless condition in themselves outside of Christ.

Why do I say absolute freedom?

The word “now,” is from the Greek word “NUN” meaning “the immediate present” (Vine’s Expository Dictionary). ‘Now’ is “a primary particle of present time; (Strong’s Concordance).

So this speaks of a present condition of guiltlessness and not a future state.

Then we have “no” from the Greek word “OUDEIS” a term of forceful emphasis meaning “not even one…i.e. none” (Strong’s Concordance).

Therefore, there is not even one jot, iota, whit, atom, bit, speck, title, dot, or mite of condemnation for the man in Christ.

Once a man enters into Christ, though there may still be manifestations of the presence of sin, however, he is totally free from the guilt and condemnation of sin – from God.

Now you may ask; why did pastor emphasis – from God?

The next part of the verse explains it; “who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.”

Now remember Paul showed us clearly that he tried walking after the flesh, that is – he tried serving God by the power of his flesh but instead of finding freedom he discovered he was all the more condemned.

Believers don’t walk in the flesh, for we are not in the flesh but in Spirit (Romans 8:8), however, we can walk after the flesh.
Now if we walk after the flesh, that is; if we try to serve God under the power of our flesh, we will discover how wretched we are and we will be condemned, but “NOT BY GOD,” our heart will rather condemn us the same way Paul’s heart condemned him.

If we walk after the flesh in the way of sin, condemnation will “Never” come from God as long as we are in Christ, rather, God will deal with us to help us come out of the sin so we won’t be condemned (1Corinthians 11:32).

However, if we stay there long enough Satan will condemn us, our heart will also condemn us even though God is not angry or counting our sins against us.

So we walk after the spirit, that is; we rely on the power of the Holy Spirit for power, righteousness, holiness, wisdom, and all things, this way when we fail, our eyes are still on Christ as our righteousness so we are not condemned.

We were never looking to the flesh where there is no good thing so our hearts stand steadfast on Christ, receiving forgiveness and righteousness, hence we are not condemned.

Our hearts receive the flow of the love of God; his forgiveness and perfect justification for the ungodly flows continuously into our hearts, enabling us to serve him acceptably in his unconditional and unmerited grace.

Confession

Blessed be God, the life of Christ is now my source of strength and righteousness. I stand in Christ justified, qualified for every blessing.

God’s nature of righteousness is at work in me, producing life and wholeness. Every sphere of my life is invigorated with the miracle-working power of God. I live continuously in favour, power and glory. Praise Jesus!

Prophetic Insight

I see sons and daughters of the Lord who have waited on him for so long for the blessing. As I sat with the Lord in prayer, I heard the Lord say to many;

“The wait is over; this is the moment of your lifting. I am no longer resting until I see my glory cover your life as the waters cover the sea.

My anointing will now burn as a flame bringing deliverance and lifting just like I have promised. It is time dear one, your wait is over”

For Zion’s sake will I not hold my peace, and for Jerusalem’s sake I will not rest, until the righteousness thereof go forth as brightness, and the salvation thereof as a lamp that burneth. Isaiah 62:1

Blessings in Christ;
Pastor Jahfas Victor Ahua
Living Hill Christian Church