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Positive Words Newsletter#76/ 24th March 2004
----- http://www.peterwade.com/ -----
He Gives Vitality
"But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you" (Romans 8:11 NKJV).
Romans chapter 8 is one of the highlight passages of the New Testament and the passage has much to say about victorious Christian living--the triumph of the Spirit within over the apparent limitations of everyday life. The future resurrection of the believer is not in view here, and the careful reader will recognise God's choice of words that make it evident that the present is under discussion. John Calvin, noted as a Greek scholar, said concerning verse 11: "The quickening of the mortal body here cannot refer to the resurrection of the saints, but must mean a giving of life to their bodies, while here upon earth, through the Spirit."
Let us pause just long enough to give some background on the two key words, "give life" and "mortal". The Greek word for "quicken" (KJV) is a combination of the words for "life" and "I make", and is therefore handled by recent translators as "make alive", "endow with life", and "give life". The same word is employed in II Corinthians 3:6, where again the context is obviously in the present: "... for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life." It is the work of the Spirit within to give life, and in Romans 8:11 it is to fill the physical body with the vibrant life of God--the real vim, vigour. and vitality.
The word "mortal" never means "dead" but rather something that is "subject to death". There is a Greek word for a dead human body, but it is not employed in Romans 8:11. The word "mortal" appeared earlier in Romans 6:12: "Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body..." Dead bodies do not sin, but bodies subject to death can sin. Another of the usages of "mortal" is given by Paul in II Corinthians 4:11, and significantly it is in association with the same Greek word for "life" that is part of the word "quicken". "For we who live are always delivered to death for Jesus' sake, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh." While we live there is every opportunity for His life to be revealed in bodies which are subject to death.
The Spirit of God that is resident within the believer gives life to that believer's body, and this includes when disease is present. The great impact of this statement of truth has not been grasped by the majority of believers, even charismatics. Healing is not something to be sought from an outside source; it is a power that you bring into action from within.
God's plan for His children is divine health--perfect, continuous health. When a believer sees evidence of sickness or disease, it is a signal from the body that somehow that believer has frustrated the flow of health and is at "dis-ease". Now an endogenous miracle is required to replace the "dis-ease" with the perfect flow of health. The Bible teaches that healing for the whole man was provided for us on the cross of Calvary, and in a very real sense we look back on it now as a past-tense action: "By whose stripes you were healed" (I Peter 2:24).
So Romans 8:11, one of few verses on physical healing in the Pauline epistles, teaches that the same God Who raised Christ from the dead will give life to your body as and when needed by means of His Spirit who is resident in you. So accept it, believe it, confess it! [For a fuller discussion of this truth, see the book "Bodily Healing and the Atonement" by T.J. McCrossan] -- Peter Wade
On our web site right now!
Our free CD offer for the "In Christ" CD with two teachings by Peter Wade closes on 31st March 2004. Hungry believers in the following countries have already requested their copies: India, Nigeria, Ghana, Pakistan, Argentine, Mali, Kenya, Singapore, Peru, Turkey, Iran, Philippines, England, Greece, Sweden, Netherlands, Australia, New Zealand, USA, Canada. Our thanks to those whose giving made this offer possible.
The radio broadcast is sharing teachings from the book of Ephesians. Listen and be blessed!
Insights From Every Chapter Of The Bible
G. Campbell Morgan was a well-known preacher and writer of over 60 books from the first half of the 20th century. In each issue of this newsletter he gives a comment from one verse in every chapter of the Bible. We continue with Paul's Roman letter.
"Love therefore is the fulfilment of the law" (Romans 13:10).
Here again is a simple statement of a most profound truth, and its apprehension will correct many mistakes. Man is at least inclined to think of law and love as being antagonistic. We have heard John's words, "The law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ," so recited as to give the impression that there was radical difference between them. Indeed, over and over again a "but" is introduced between the two parts of the one declaration. There is no difference. The only distinction is that law tells us what to do, and grace enables us to do it. Thus not only is there no antagonism between love and law, there is no separation between them. Law is an expression of love.
To understand that, is to realize that love is also the fulfilling of law. Paul's method of showing this is most simple and most conclusive. It is impossible to sin against our fellowmen if we love them or we may say that every sin we commit against them is due to some cooling or failure of love. Love is the most vigilant and severe sentinel of all our actions. It is the only motive strong enough to make us true under all circumstances and at all times. Fear will carry us far, but under stress of fierce temptation it will break down. Love will carry us all the way, and leave us still desiring better things than we have ever attained.
What you are saying
God bless you, Pastor Wade. I just can't find words to say how I have been blessed when through the Grace of God I link up with your ministries on the internet and felt your love for God through your teaching. The office I work in I cannot get any reception by radio or by media. I was always looking for someway to hear the word of God. I thank God for you and what your doing. I'll be listing to you from now on. I just can't get enough of how you give in-depth understand-ing and insight. It is coming straight from the word of God and that it is the only way, the truth, and eternal life.
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"IN CHRIST" QUOTE FOR TODAY
