Author: thegospelmailman@yahoo.com

Stop Being Enslaved to Sinful Desires

Scripture: Titus 3: 3-7

3 For we too once were foolish, disobedient, deceived, enslaved to various sinful desires and pleasures, spending and wasting our life in malice and envy, hateful, hating one another. 4 But when the goodness and kindness of God our Savior and His love for mankind appeared [in human form as the Man, Jesus Christ], 5 He saved us, not because of any works of righteousness that we have done, but because of His own compassion and mercy, by the cleansing of the new birth (spiritual transformation, regeneration) and renewing by the Holy Spirit, 6 whom He poured out richly upon us through Jesus Christ our Savior, 7 so that we would be justified [made free of the guilt of sin] by His [compassionate, undeserved] grace, and that we would be [acknowledged as acceptable to Him and] made heirs of eternal life [actually experiencing it] according to our hope (His guarantee). 

Scripture Commentary:

Think back to the life you were living before Jesus Christ entered in. The Bible says, you were ” foolish, disobedient, deceived, enslaved to various sinful desires and pleasures.” Although, at the time, many of us thought we were doing well in that lifestyle.

Because of God’s mercy and love for us, we moved from a life of sin to one where we are lead by God’s Holy Spirit. All our sins, not merely some, but ALL, are washed away by His mercy.

Open your heart and soul to Jesus.

When we open our heart and soul to Jesus, He cleanses us. He does this not because we earned or deserved it. It is His gift to us. We know now that freedom doesn’t consist of doing anything we want. Freedom is living a life for Christ.

Our old lifestyle led to a path of slavery to addictions and sensual gratification. We were not free but slaves to what our body dictated. Christ frees us from the desires and control of sin. None of this occurs because we earned or deserved it. It is a gift from God.

Read the Entire Chapter of the Scripture Referenced:

Titus Chapter 3

Read More Commentary from the New Testament:

You Have No Excuse

Live By and Keep Step with the Spirit

Live a Godly Life in Christ Jesus

Scripture: 2 Timothy 3: 10-15

You, however, know all about my teaching, my way of life, my purpose, faith, patience, love, endurance, 11 persecutions, sufferings—what kinds of things happened to me in Antioch, Iconium and Lystra, the persecutions I endured. Yet the Lord rescued me from all of them. 12 In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, 13 while evildoers and impostors will go from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived. 14 But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, 15 and how from infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.

Scripture Commentary:

Sin has consequences, and no one will get away with it forever. Live a godly life – live as if your actions will one day be known to everyone. Now is the time to change anything you wouldn’t want revealed later.

Don’t be surprised when people misunderstand, criticize, and even try to hurt you because of what you believe and how you have changed your life. Don’t give up!

Jesus’s light changes people.

Don’t expect false teachers and evil people to reform and change on their own. Left alone, they will go from bad to worse. If you have the opportunity to bring them back to faith in Christ, do so.

Christ has placed people in your life to bring them out of the darkness (as we all were at a time in our life). You are to point them to His glory, light and love.

Read the Entire Chapter of the Scripture Referenced:

2 Timothy Chapter 3

Read Other Commentary from the Books of Timothy:

Be Strong in the Grace that is Jesus

Flee from Evil Desires and Pursue Righteousness

Walk in the Spirit, Live in the Light

Scripture: Galatians 5: 16-18, 25

This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. 17 For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would. 18 But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law. 25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.

Scripture Commentary:

Why do we feel we are true Christians when we judge someone? Because we go to church and pray, we are not to judge anyone. Walk in the spirit. Christ died to set us free from sin and a long list of weakness we have in our flesh.

Those who appeal to their freedom so that they can have their own way or indulge their own desires are falling back into sin. It is sinful to talk behind someone’s back and to focus on another’s shortcomings.

Paul tells us we have two forces conflicting within us: The Holy Spirit and the sinful nature. We have within us the evil desires or inclinations that stem from our bodies. We are not to rely on our own wisdom. We have to let the Holy Spirit that is in us, guide us.

If we try to walk in the Spirit under our own human effort, we will fail. Live each day controlled and guided by the Holy Spirit. Then Christ will be behind your actions, and the power of Christ will control your desires.

Read the Entire Chapter of the Scripture Referenced:

Galatians Chapter 5

Read Other Commentary from the Book of Galatians:

Are You Believing In the Jesus Who Saves?

Thanks Be to God for All He Has Done

Flee from Temptation

Scripture: 2 Timothy 2: 22-26

Now flee from youthful lusts and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart. 23 But refuse foolish and ignorant speculations, knowing that they produce [h]quarrels. 24 The Lord’s bond-servant must not be quarrelsome, but be kind to all, able to teach, patient when wronged, 25 with gentleness correcting those who are in opposition, if perhaps God may grant them repentance leading to the knowledge of the truth, 26 and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, having been held captive [i]by him to do his will.

Scripture Commentary:

To flee is sometimes considered cowardly. But wise people realize that removing themselves physically from temptation often can be the most courageous action to take.

Timothy, a young man, was warned to flee from anything that produced evil thoughts. Do you have a recurring temptation that is difficult to resist?

Guard yourself from sin.

Remove yourself physically from any situation that stimulates your desire to sin. This also applies to placing yourself in a position of harm as a place that caters to the devil’s playground.

The godly spirit that is in all of us knows where to go and who to be with. Listen to the Holy Spirit at all times for God won’t lead you astray. Knowing when to run is as important in spiritual battle as knowing when and how to fight.

Read the Entire Chapter of the Scripture Referenced:

2 Timothy Chapter 2

Read Other Commentary from the books of Timothy:

Spiritual Wealth

Create In Me A Clean Heart

The Gospel Mailman prays that everyone has a safe and joyous Thanksgiving. This will be the only post this week. Posts will resume December 2, 2019.

Treat All with Tender Lovingkindness

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 13: 11-14

Finally, believers, rejoice! Be made complete [be what you should be], be comforted, be like-minded, live in peace [enjoy the spiritual well-being experienced by believers who walk closely with God]; and the God of love and peace [the source of lovingkindness] will be with you. 12 Greet one another with a [a]holy kiss. 13 All [b]God’s people greet you. 14 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.

Scripture Commentary: Approach all with Christ-like lovingkindness.

Paul was dealing with an ongoing problem in the Corinthian church. He could have refused to communicate until they cleared up their situation. However, he reached out to them with Christ-like lovingkindness.

Love, however, means that sometimes we must confront those we care about. Both authority and personal concern are needed when dealing with people who are ruining their lives with sin. But there are several wrong approaches in confronting others. These approaches can further break relationships rather than heal them.

For instance, we can be legalistic and blast people away with the laws they should be obeying. Equally wrong, we can turn away from them because we don’t want to face the situation. Or we can isolate them by gossiping about their problem and turning others against them as well.

Or, like Paul, we can seek to build the relationship by taking a better approach of sharing, communicating, and caring. Although this approach can drain us emotionally, it is the best way for the other person. And it is the only Christ-like way to deal with other’s sin.

This is how Christ has dealt with each of us!

Read the Entire Chapter of the Scripture Referenced:

2 Corinthians Chapter 13

Read Other Commentary from Corinthians

God Has Prepared Great Things for You

God is Your Strength, Your Power, and Your Purpose

Live a Commendable Life For God

Scripture: Galatians 6: 2-5

2 Carry one another’s burdens and in this way you will fulfill the requirements of the law of Christ [that is, the law of Christian love]. 3 For if anyone thinks he is something [special] when [in fact] he is nothing [special except in his own eyes], he deceives himself. 4 But each one must carefully scrutinize his own work [examining his actions, attitudes, and behavior], and then he can have the personal satisfaction and inner joy of doing something commendable [a]without comparing himself to another. 5 For every person will have to bear [with patience] his own burden [of faults and shortcomings for which he alone is responsible].

Scripture Commentary: Don’t compare yourself to others.

Have you looked at someone and said to yourself, “I wish I was like him or her”? When you see a person do something commendable, do you wish you could do that?

If you look at the gift that God has given you, not worrying about anyone else, you would be amazed. When you fully put your life in God’s hands, you will be amazed.

Look for God’s approval, not man’s.

God knows what to do and how to do it, but you have to believe in Him. We are not to look for man’s approval. We are to follow the way of Jesus Christ. To follow Christ is to study the Word, help others, and not look for rewards for those actions.

Find inner joy from doing something commendable.

No Christian should ever think he or she is totally independent, not needing help from others. And no one should feel excused from the task of helping others.

When we plant the Gospel seed of Our Lord Jesus Christ, we are helping someone to see and to follow Him. When you sow for God, you are planting and reaping joy and everlasting love and life with Christ.

Read the Entire Chapter of the Scripture Referenced:

Galatians Chapter 6

Read Other Commentary from the Book of Galatians:

The Righteous Will Live by Faith

Sow to Please God, and Reap Joy and Everlasting Life

Salvation Has Made You Free From Sin

Scripture: Romans 6: 7-10, 18

For he that is dead is freed from sin. Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him: Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him. For in that he died, he died unto sin once: but in that he liveth, he liveth unto God.(7-10) Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness.(18)

Scripture Commentary: Salvation makes you free from sin.

Have you given your life to God? Are you doing things that you think will get you into heaven? If you are living by the law, you are condemned by the law. Salvation is not the law. It is a gift from God that has made you free from sin.

Some people try to earn their way to God by keeping a set of rules, like obeying The Ten Commandments, attending church faithfully, or doing good deeds. All they earn from their efforts is frustration and discouragement.

We cannot reach God by works alone.

We must truly believe that Christ came here and died for our sins, and on the third day, He rose. Christ’s spirit enables us to produce good fruit. And we now serve, not by obeying a set of rules but out of renewed hearts and minds that overflow with love for God.

When you know that you don’t have to fear death, you will experience a new vigor in life.

Read the Entire Chapter of the Scripture Referenced:

Romans Chapter 6

Read Other Commentary from Romans Chapter 6

Being Saved Is Being Under Grace

Do Not Let Sin Reign in Your Life

We Take Communion in Remembrance of Christ

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 11: 24-26

… and when He had given thanks, He broke it and said, “This is (represents) My body, which is [offered as a sacrifice] for you. Do this in [affectionate] remembrance of Me.” 25 In the same way, after supper He took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant [ratified and established] in My blood; do this, as often as you drink it, in [affectionate] remembrance of Me.” 26 For every time you eat this bread and drink this cup, you are [symbolically] proclaiming [the fact of] the Lord’s death until He comes [again].

Scripture Commentary: What does the Lord’s Supper mean to you?

When you take the Lord’s Supper, what does it mean to you? Are you taking it in remembrance of Him or are you taking it because everyone else is and you don’t want to look out of place? If you don’t know why you’re taking it, stop and learn why we, as Christians, do it.

In reality no one is worthy to take the Lord’s Supper. We are all sinners saved by grace. This is why we should prepare ourselves for communion through healthy introspection, confession of sin, and resolution of differences with others. These actions remove the barriers that affect our relationship with Christ.

Being aware of your sin should not keep you away from Communion. Instead, it should drive you to participate in it. Know why Jesus Christ died on the cross for your sins and rose on the third day. This is the new covenant that cost Jesus His life.

Communion is not a meaningless ritual. This is our bond with Christ.

Read the Entire Chapter of the Scripture Referenced:

1 Corinthians Chapter 11

Read Other Commentary on 1 Corinthians:

Let God Fill You With Wisdom and Understanding

God Has Freely Given Us His Love

Our Old Self Was Crucified With Jesus

Scripture: Romans 6: 5-9

For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we will certainly also be united with him in a resurrection like his. 6 For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body ruled by sin might be done away with,[a] that we should no longer be slaves to sin— 7 because anyone who has died has been set free from sin.

8 Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him. 9 For we know that since Christ was raised from the dead, he cannot die again; death no longer has mastery over him. 10 The death he died, he died to sin once for all; but the life he lives, he lives to God.

Scripture Commentary: In Christ our old self is dead.

The power and penalty of sin died with Christ on the cross. Our “old self,” our sinful nature, died once and for all. We are freed from its power.

The “body of sin” is not the human body but our rebellious, sin-loving nature inherited from Adam. Although our body willingly cooperates with our sinful nature, we must not regard the body as evil. It is the sin in us that is evil. And it is this power of sin at work in our body that is defeated.

Christ’s children stand ‘not guilty’ before God.

Paul has already stated that through faith in Christ we stand acquitted, “not guilty” before God. Paul emphasizes here that we need no longer live under sin’s power. God does not take us out of the world or make us robots. We will still feel like sinning, and sometimes we will sin.

The difference is that before we were saved, we were slaves to our sinful nature. But now we can choose to live for Christ. That assurance frees us to enjoy fellowship with Him, and a desire to do His will.

We have a new start.

The Holy Spirit will help us become what Christ has declared us to be. We are His children.

Read the Entire Chapter of the Scripture Referenced:

Romans Chapter 6

Read Other Commentary on Romans Chapter 6

There Is No Death in Jesus Christ

Will You Go On Sinning?

Do Not Let Sin Reign in Your Life

Scripture: Romans 6: 1, 12-13

What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin so that grace may increase?(1) Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its lusts, 13 and do not go on presenting [g]the members of your body to sin as[h] instruments of unrighteousness; but present yourselves to God as those alive from the dead, and your members as[i] instruments of righteousness to God. (12-13)

Scripture Commentary:

When you do something for God out of love for Him, you feel good. When do you something wrong for Satan, you feel bad. Do not let sin reign within you!

This is a daily battle but you can reign over sin’s power, over death’s threat, and over Satan’s attacks. When you accept Jesus Christ, you are no longer obligated to carry out those old motives, desires, and goals.

Live the life that Christ gave you when He died on the cross for you.

If you think of our old, sinful life as dead and buried, you have the power to resist sin. Then you can enjoy your new life with Christ because you are united with Him in His death and resurrection.

Your evil desires, your bondage to sin, and your love of sin died with Him. Jesus’s love for you has set you free. You are free at last!

Read the Entire Chapter of the Scripture Referenced:

Romans Chapter 6

Read Other Commentary from Romans Chapter 6:

Don’t Be a Slave to Sin