WHAT BODY ARE YOU PRESENTED AND REPRESENTED?

By: Bishop Albert Gran

 

Romans 12:1-2

King James Version (KJV)

12 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.

² 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.

Gospel sermons in pulpit often introduced upon the reading of these popular verses Paul wrote from his pen to the saints at Rome. However, there's so much mystery behind what was written down for our success with life in grace as beings who were far more and always triumphant in Christ. It's magnifying our godly service, lives as though prepared for a slaughter and  yet were consoled by Christ, blessed by God with spiritual wisdom and understanding discerning our real life and its true nature in this dispensation of grace.

The "bodies" as referred to in the context which is something for and about our offering, denotes our physical body imbued with the immaterial soul and spirit’s being inwardly worked out by Christ when He quickens our inner Spirit reflecting our mortal bodies to be a working vessel for His service as our reasonable service.  

The effect of this human vessel (physical body) producing reasonable service (as pleasantly acknowledged by God in accordance to His will) had a foundation, built on the same foundation of our apostle Paul who had laid the foundation in this dispensation of grace who is none other than the Lord Jesus Christ whom he's representing for as those who were called themselves "saints", the members of the Body of Christ in particular.     

1 Corinthians 3:10-12

King James Version (KJV)

¹⁰ According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon.

¹¹ For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.

¹² Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble;

For Paul to render his life worthy before the Lord,  basically to be set apart for the gospel's sake, and to be a pattern for those who hereafter believe on the gospel  of salvation causing to produce eternal life were objectively designed in significance to THE GRACE OF GOD.

Expecting worthwhile rendering of service as something called by God - as a sweet smelling savor acceptable by God was pretty much in view in accordance to the GRACE OF GOD. And because of that, we can therefore appreciate the information of knowing what benefits we had in Christ in matters of all facets of information essential for our establishment and equipping. The knowledge we had in Christ is the same knowledge Paul embraced upon in exchanged of what he previously acquired based on the law, the world-based knowledge system after the Judaism council with an image like a Pharisee. He’s someone hailing the privilege position as a supposed prospect member of an elect of God under the kingdom prophetic program being a Benjamite or called a Jew although an unbelieving persecutor and a blasphemer of Christ .He indeed did these things out of ignorance without proper guidance and understanding what best condition and plan of God under in cognizant to His prophetic purpose.

Building a foundation is relative in the presentation and offering of our physical body for this privilege service we can offer to Him in this present dispensation of grace. It’s really best to understand the “will of God” and His revealed purpose suitable in this dispensation of grace. We loved to be loved by our Most High God and therefore it’s now a high time to awake out of sleep by knowing the essential fact how God himself freely offered His life as a sacrifice, as thus someone motivated by love for you (Gentiles) . We called this demonstration of sacrifice as “God’s love for us”.

  Romans 5:8

King James Version (KJV)

⁸ But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

That’s why it made me sure that the ultimate basis of everything in matters of giving and offering ourselves wholly for the sake of God’s glory is a kind of motivation pushed by love and grace. Our active role as we learned and received this sort of spiritual education is to simply declare the message of love and grace of our Lord Jesus Christ offering the lost people to reconcile the world (lost people)  back to  Himself. When you take the lead in doing this privilege divine task then you’re bearing the servant hood principle and offer yourself as a sacrifice having the same motivation with that of Christ.

2 Corinthians 5:19-21

King James Version (KJV)

¹⁹ To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.

²⁰ Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God.

²¹ For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.

2 Corinthians 4:10
Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body.

When we truly represent our physical body as a member of the spiritual body of Christ (our newest living union with Him after believing the gospel of our salvation ) it’s not the same idea as the world of religion supposed to think imbued with physical prosperity brought by God’s active manipulation of His supernatural demonstration of power  but in opposite taking the reality of sacrifices and sufferings for His sake and of the gospel. This remarkable principle and reality of our present body imbued with the real characteristics and nature of God hail weaknesses and sufferings positively used as basis to be strengthened by the strength designed by God in effect of your understanding and knowledge which in general the wisdom of God fully equipped to us. This is the mystery prayed by Paul and so therefore wishing our eyes of understanding shall be opened.   

Ephesians 6:10-19

King James Version (KJV)

¹⁰ Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.

¹¹ Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.

¹² For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

¹³ Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

¹⁴ Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;

¹⁵ And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;

¹⁶ Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.

¹⁷ And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:

¹⁸ Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;

¹⁹ And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel,

Colossians 1:8-10

King James Version (KJV)

⁸ Who also declared unto us your love in the Spirit.

⁹ For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding;

¹⁰ That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God;

It’s pretty clear that in this dispensation of grace God wonderfully equipped us something strange which is something less recognized or perhaps unrecognized in the realm of Christianity. Nowadays  most rendering services are clouded with fleshly and physical motivation instead of  that motivation based on the increased knowledge of God  in accordance to the mystery of the gospel which is something hidden in time past which has to be declared plainly and boldly  in view of honest means and intentions without wavering . This is the unfeigned faith pushed by the motivation of love and grace patterned by Christ Himself when He rendered service to us for free. Thus, it’s essential requirement that in making known the gospel of the grace of God especially in preaching the gospel in accordance to the revelation of the mystery, we will and should do it for free without charge.

How can we not serve the Lord like a sheep prepared for a slaughter?

Grace and Peace!

    

  

THE PURE GRACE SOLID PROOF ABOUT ROMANS 13

By: Albert B. Gran

My  post in this issue of  ordaining bishopric position rains negative comments from the traditionalists in every Christian page I'm joining with. Content of this  post section is the truth behind barring traditional confusion with the gist in Romans 13.

  

I would like to amplify my discourse in this wonderful issue so that these people who didn’t see the light of this teaching opposing hermeneutical interpretation of “higher powers” to mean government worldly authorities will acknowledge their wrong view and vow to what’s the truth behind it. This presentation goes now to the details in light with the context of Romans 13.

Originally the Bible or Holy Scripture was not separated according to chapters and verses thus it requires simple re-examination to read the prior verses in order to get the right gist of the issue in view of contextual consideration.

 Romans 12:16-17

King James Version (KJV)

 ¹⁶Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits.

 ¹⁷Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men.

This is a very clear picture of which Paul charged the Roman BOC believers to be of the same mind one to another to the point that  such would condescend or fit to men of low estate and not to be wise in their own conceits.

Verse 17 gave us the most striking idea not to recompense or an idea to avenge evil for evil however provide honest things in the sight of all men. So if Paul charge not to avenge evil for evil how can a believer avenge evil? Do you think a believer can avenge evil? These questions are very logical one’s we come to the exposition of this very interesting topic.

 

The real issue here was doing evil where a natural man ( unbeliever) has been prone for due to the vanity of his mind. So Paul warned the believers not to fight evil against evil and if possible live peaceably unto all men.

   ¹⁸If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, LIVE PECEABLY WITH ALL MEN.

Every believer as a profounder of righteousness has the capacity not to avenge or revenge evil for evil but contrarily live peaceably with all men. How is it made possible? It does not mean that man of God (the authority of God’s ordained ministers or even elite saints) can no longer recompense or avenge evil. Still we could do it by avenging evil BY DOING GOOD.

²¹Be not overcome of evil, but OVERCOME EVIL WITH GOOD.

This passage was very clear in posing right instruction how can we avenge evil and against evil doers. Simply put: “OVERCOME EVIL BY DOING GOOD AND NOT OVERCOMING EVIL BY EVIL.” In this way people of God can live life’s fullest tranquility in the presence of this evil and corrupt world. To simply realize the practicality of it Paul gave a very clear cut situation to remind every believer how this thing being made possible in the name of PEACE.

 ²⁰Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing THOU SHALT HEAP COALS OF FIRE ON HIS HEAD.

If this attitude of believers reign in his life there would be no reason why one can’t live a peaceable life unto all men. This capacity was made possible by believers of the Body of Christ most especially the immediate addressee of this Roman epistle, the Roman believers.

In this presentation, we can now come up and drove the clearest picture how the apostle Paul through context reminded or instructed the saints to live a peaceable life towards evil men and evildoers in this world. In this picture we can understand two groups of people generally involved as cited in the context. First are the addressee, the saints or Body of Christ members and the second are the evil doers or people who were unbelievers specifically those that are in the world.

This very sense coined with church role significance importantly widen our understanding that when God ordained rulers or ministers, He himself of course, and obviously wouldn't and didn't  take those worldly evil and unbelieving rulers. These godly appointed rulers were those Body of Christ authorities whom we're called for in subjection of their authority governing the early saints in the edification process. It's noticeable in the early missionary journey of St. Paul where God set men as gifts to edify the church the Body of Christ.

To expound further let me take this very important verse for us to have a complacent idea by eradicating negative thoughts against this issue disseminating truth that the rulers in Romans 13 contextually exclusive in the government for the early Body of Christ. Let’s be Bereans to consider whether this presentation instill perfect soundness along this issue. The verse states and I quote:

   ¹⁹Dearly beloved, AVENGE NOT YOURSELVES, but rather GIVE PLACE UNTO WRATH: for it is written, VENGEANCE IS MINE; I WILL REPAY, SAITH THE LORD.

Why Paul says avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath? When Paul says avenge not yourselves it correlates the idea which he priory stated NOT TO RECOMPENCE EVIL TO EVIL but to give place unto wrath which give us a sense to avenge or recompense evil by overcoming it with good for someday, even as it was written, the Lord will show his vengeance or final punishment against evil doers in the Great white throne judgment.(Revelation 7:9)

True saints can be the only group to qualify the accurate manifestation of godliness amidst evil society especially in this present evil world whose god Satan blinded the minds of the children of disobedience.

As begin this study of Romans 13, we can now have the clearest picture that there are two groups of people, one is the group of rulers categorically SAINTS and the second are group of EVIL MEN and or evil people the natural men in this world who through their mind’s vanity walked according to the course of this world. 

I wonder why some antagonist traditional religious denominational believers took their hermeneutical interpretation out of the context by simply putting trust in the realm of administrative jurisdiction which categorically out from the will and mind of God.

We’ll begin Romans 13 simply in conjunction to the verses previously stated. I pray this long message of mine can open the eyes of our understanding to simply acknowledge what’s the true validity of our claims insisting the higher powers ordained by God as NOT THE WORLDLY GOVERNMENT AUTHORITIES BUT THE REAL MINISTERS OF GOD WHO ARE TRUE AVENGERS OF EVILDOERS. Let’s consider the following:

   Romans 13

 ¹Let EVERY SOUL be subject unto the HIGHER POWERS. For there is no POWER BUT OF GOD: the POWERS THAT BE ARE ORDAINED OF GOD.


Brethren in the Lord, I already discussed to you that there are two groups of people in this context one is the “SAINTS” and the second is “THE EVILDOERS”. Now, carefully examine this verse and ask this question: To whom this instruction was addressed? To whom this “every soul” referred to? It’s apparent that contextually the “every soul” signifies the SAINTS who were called to OVERCOME EVIL WITH GOOD, NOT CALLED TO AVENGE EVIL BY EVIL BUT GIVE PLACE UNTO WRATH IN THE NAME OF PEACE AND TRANQUILITY.


The "every soul" in the context could impossibly mean all souls in the world including the natural men who are evildoers. Who will overcome evil without these people who could attest the true capacity of performing godly good works in order to live peaceably unto all men? In other words Paul addressed this Romans 13 to all believers to be subject unto the higher powers which are ORDAINED BY GOD.


Now that we know that the saints in Romans 13 were those who were addressed by Paul, then the next question was: What about the HIGHER POWERS THAT BE ORDAINED OF GOD? Let’s face the reality of what’s the context about whereby there were two groups of people involved in it which are generally between believers, the good doers and unbelievers who were evil doers. In my belief it’s illogical to give the meaning of HIGHER POWERS as GOVERNMENT WORLDLY AUTHORITIES AND SUCH SHALL BE CALLED ORDAINED POWERS OF GOD.


For saints, or the “every soul” who could truly be in subjection to true goodness against evildoers, must necessarily ascribe from the ordained higher powers of God, the rulers in the church who were His ministers. It’s impossible for these natural unbelieving men sitting in the ordained government authorities because they’re unbelievers and has no idea about the principle of true godliness in right spiritual perspective. If every saint is an avenger of evil by overcoming it by good these ordained ministers of God much more were avengers against evildoers. Please read it very carefully.


³For RULERS ARE NOT A TERROR TO GOOD WORKS, BUT TO THE EVIL. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same:

⁴For HE IS THE MINISTER OF GOD TO THEE FOR GOOD. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for HE IS THE MINISTER OF GOD, A REVENGER TO EXECUTE WRATH UPON HIM THAT DOTH EVIL.

It’s very sensible brethren upon considering this expose that rulers or God’s ministers in this context purely are the ministers in the church who are ordained by God especially in the early stage of the Body of Christ. He is a minister of God for” thee” (saint), the every soul FOR GOOD. But if “thou” (evildoer) do that which is evil BE AFRAID.

Antagonists and traditionalists simply cannot accept the fact that believer can avenge or revenge evil by doing good. Their minds are blundered having this doubt and questions such as: Can a believer or Minister of God can truly be an avenger of evil by good?” or Can truly be a believer overcome evil by good? If you noticed in my above explanation Paul in the context stated the real fact that a believer can overcome evil by good and at any rate can live peaceably towards all men.

To shut up the traditional ideologies of these unbelieving religious friends of ours, I’ll quote this passage of Paul in order to assert their allegation that it’s impossible for this ministers of God to revenge against evil doers. Read this passage carefully:

 2 Corinthians 10:4-8

King James Version (KJV)

 ⁴(For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)


 ⁵Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;


 ⁶AND HAVING IN A READINESS TO REVENGE ALL DISOBEDIENCE, WHEN YOUR OBEDIENCE IS FULFILLED.


 ⁷Do ye look on things after the outward appearance? if any man trust to himself that he is Christ's, let him of himself think this again, that, as he is Christ's, even so are we Christ's.


 ⁸For though I should boast somewhat more of OUR AUTHORITY, WHICH THE LORD HATH GIVEN US FOR EDIFICATION, AND NOT FOR YOUR DESTRUCTION, I SHOULD NOT BE ASHAMED:


Dear readers of my simple article I would want you to be sensible considering this presentation of mine as really in truth in the name of standing the sound doctrine against the perverse thoughts of unbelieving antagonists who were traditionalists. Paul clearly emphasized that the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through the God to the pulling of the strongholds. It means our battle is not between flesh and blood and thus if evil arise we will overcome it by the truth and goodness which is in us. This weapons are spiritual by putting our minds or imaginations in subjection to the KNOWLEDGE OF GOD (In the complete Holy Scriptures), and let our every thought to the obedience of Christ. It has nothing to the obedience of the government authorities and rulers in this world the children of disobedience who were ungodly.


The striking thing was the answer to the queries of many antagonists whether or not the believers and God’s ministers CANNOT REVENGE EVILDOERS. Paul says and please in tune your negative thoughts carefully as I write it in bold print:


 ⁶AND HAVING IN A READINESS TO REVENGE ALL DISOBEDIENCE, WHEN YOUR OBEDIENCE IS FULFILLED.


The saints or believers were told to be ready to revenge all disobedience (evildoers), when your obedience is fulfilled. This is the relative truth with this verse:

Romans 12:21 BE NOT OVERCOME EVIL, BUT OVERCOME EVIL WITH GOOD.

God’s ordained ministers in the early stage of the BOC has more capacity to do this in fact believers were also have sufficient and enough capacity to overcome evil by doing good. If these are the worldly human powers and authorities what capacity do they have to overcome evil by good? Do they have the knowledge of God to manifest true godliness? That’s an irrelevant and illogical notion if we will hold such hermeneutical interpretation.

Lastly, I would like to pose the antagonists silence in order to settle the issue as to who truly were these ORDAINED MINISTERS OF GOD IN THE HIGHER POWERS? Let’s give sense to read continuously this wonderful book of paul to the 2 Corinthians parallel to this Romans 13.

 ⁸For though I should boast somewhat more of OUR AUTHORITY, WHICH THE LORD HATH GIVEN US FOR EDIFICATION, AND NOT FOR YOUR DESTRUCTION, I SHOULD NOT BE ASHAMED:

Paul clearly without doubt word for word attests the AUTHORITY, WHICH THE LORD HATH GIVEN US (The ministers of God, the rulers ordained by God in the higher powers), AND NOT FOR YOUR DESTRUCTION (for good as to “thee”, saints for good), I SHOULD NOT BE ASHAMED.

Every sensible believer will acknowledge this honest presentation of truth pertinent in this teaching that the HIGHER POWERS ORDAINED BY GOD are not the government authorities but the early church ministers of God set to edify the church the Body of Christ to wit:

 1 Corinthians 12:28

And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues.

Ephesians 4:11-12

King James Version (KJV)

 ¹¹And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;


 ¹²For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:

Brethren let’s come unto perfection and if you found wholesome presentation in this humble presentation of mine admit in godly means that truth will prevail. Paul once said:

 2 Corinthians 13:8

For we can do nothing against the TRUTH, but for the TRUTH.

I bow my knees in the name of truth. Believe it and live with it.

I pray you in Christ stead. Consider these things and the Lord will give you understanding.

Grace and Peace to all of you.