A Better Covenant

[jugghead]

Why the "covenant of grace" is better than the "covenant of law"

The covenant of law reveals what the (our) flesh is (unrighteous) and does (sins)
The covenant of grace reveals what the (His) Spirit is (righteous) and does (loves)

If we love we do not sin; if we love we are righteous; if we love we are not of the flesh

The covenant of law only imparts a knowledge and surface (outer) understanding of sin,
where as
The covenant of grace not only imparts a knowledge and inner understanding of sin (the forgiveness of it because He loves us) but also imparts a knowledge and inner understanding of love which brings to life His Spirit in us so we now have an ability to love as He loves

The covenant of law (our tutor) only taught us what sin is, but it could not teach us what love is or how to love
The covenant of grace (Christ) not only teaches us what love is it also imparts His ability to love unto us so we can love others with His love

How do we show love to others, the same way He showed it to us, the forgiveness of sins

[rosered]

:HeartThrob:  Reminded me of 2cor 5



11Therefore, since we know what it means to fear the Lord, we try to persuade men. What we are is clear to God, and I hope it is clear to your conscience as well. 12We are not commending ourselves to you again.

Instead, we are giving you an occasion to be proud of us, so that you can answer those who take pride in appearances rather than in the heart.

13If we are out of our mind, it is for God; if we are of sound mind, it is for you.

For Christ's love compels us, because we are convinced that One died for all, therefore all died.

And He died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves, but for Him who died for them and was raised again.

So from now on we regard no one according to the flesh. Although we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer.

Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation.

The old has passed away. Behold, the new has come!

All this is from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation:

that God was reconciling the world to Himself in Christ, not counting men's trespasses against them.

And He has committed to us the message of reconciliation.

20 Therefore we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making His appeal through us.

We implore you on behalf of Christ:

Be reconciled to God.

God made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God.     :thumbsup:

[marie glen]

It's true!  :iagree: Jugghead..

...also, I was thinking while reading, "He loves" and love redeems - forgives, calls, corrects and establishes. A road of learning, yet it is all grace. How wise He is!!

And love does not fail. We shall be like Him, when we (finally) see Him as He is.

"Love is the fulfilling of the law."

"The fruit of the Spirit is love.. (joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self control. Against such there is no law. And those who are Christ's have crucified the flawed nature of its flawed desires.. such as provoking one another, envying one another." - Galatians 5:22-24,26

Love keeps our eyes upon Him. Law puts our gaze upon self. "Let thine eye be single."

Galatians chapter five is the, or one of the, great chapters of law vs grace. "For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this, you shall love your fellow person as your self" vs 14 ...shall love.. shall love our fellow person..

And "love" makes sense of the parable of the unjust steward!  It's love that makes the steward welcome to friends and acquaintances when he finds himself tossed out on his butt.. out into the street jobless.. If he's been a loveless jerk, he's sure to be completely on his own!

Very nice post! Inspiring.. I love to ruminate about God/Love! His kingdom will never end" - Luke 1:33.

[marie glen]

Amen Rose!! :HeartThrob: :thumbsup:

[Ross]

The covenant of law (our tutor) only taught us what sin is, but it could not teach us what love is or how to love
The covenant of grace (Christ) not only teaches us what love is it also imparts His ability to love unto us so we can love others with His love

How do we show love to others, the same way He showed it to us, the forgiveness of sins

Couple of key points. :thumbsup:
Explains why the Jews had to demonstrate by their actions that just the law make us love. See that where some bosses do stuff that is completely legal, but does not encourage anyone to enjoy their job.
The same boss, if he were to be an encourager would have a more fruitful workplace.
Sporting teams that play by the rules, but do not respect each other, are not as productive as the one that is good and helps a team mate without thinking of himself first.

As Marie mentioned; Love is the fulfilment of the law. {Romans 13;10}

Also talked about in I John.

1 John 3;14 " WE know that we have passed from death to life because we love the brethren.
                             Whoever does not love remains in the realm of death."

  1 John 3;23 " This is His commandment;
                      that we believe in the name of His Son, Jesus Christ, and love one another."

  1 John 4.7 " Little children let us love on another, for love comes from God,
                   and everyone who loves has been born of God, and knows God."

  1 John 4;12 " No one has ever seen God.
                      If we love one another God lives in us and His love has achieved it's goal in us."

Seems to be pointing to that concept of love; true love.

[Ross]

 :doh: :doh:

Amazing the little errors in sentence construction;
" Explains why the Jews had to demonstrate by their actions that just the law make us love."
Should read;
                   Explains why the Jews demonstrated by their actions that just obeying the law does NOT make us love others.
                   Nor does that just being obedient develop deep loving bonding.

We have examples of that when a country has been invaded and has to be obedient as slaves. They obey the law, but underneath want to be freed.
                   

[rosered]

  Amen  !!!


Examine Yourselves

...7 Now we pray to God that you will not do anything wrong—not that we will appear to have stood the test, :iagree:


but that you will do what is right,


even if we appear to have failed.  :dontknow:    GOD KNOWS !


8For we cannot do anything against the truth,  bold statement ,   fighting against the Truth is never  a good thing to do , but fruitless and futile .


but only for the truth. :dsunny:


9In fact, we rejoice when we are weak but you are strong, and our prayer is for your perfection....

  a genuine   LOVE OF GOD    for others  that desire for all to have the same   truth and grace     God has blessed   His presence     with
   for the better and not for the worse   in coming together  by   Christ  in our midst    ....

[jugghead]

To Marie and Ross ..... Thank you so much Marie for bringing up "Love is the fulfillment of the Law" and Ross for being the second witness

This is what most Christians do not understand, that rather than having to remember and try to obey the over 600 laws .... all we have to do is remember just one ..... "LOVE"

When the eyes are focused on the law they are not focused (looking at) Christ and that is the tragedy.

Since Christ is the perfect representation of "The forgiveness of sins" that is the true Son of Love/God/Father for love gives birth to forgiveness

Bless you all brothers and sisters in Christ

[Dandelion]

Let me be the third....absolutely.....love is the fulfillment of the Law.

Jesus had to come and live and die and rise as one of us, yet as the Son of God, to show us that the Law could convict us, but His great Love could save us. It was in His sacrifice we saw the Law being fulfilled.

The Law convicts, but the Gospel saves.

Uplifting post. Thank you, jugghead. 

D.

[jugghead]

As Jugghead read the quotes from Rose
     From Paul, whom Christ he won
Deep inside the heart of Jugghead
     A stirring had begun

Then sister Marie and brother Ross
     Spoke more words in love
The well now overflowing
     Like rain falling from above

Then Dandelion spoke again these words
     Love fulfilled the law
The sacrifice upon that hill
     It is finished ..... and we saw

Although he's never seen their faces
     Their hearts are seen each day
Through the eyes Christ Jesus
     The Life, the Truth, the Way

Joy and peace and patience
     These seeds are meant to grow
In our heavenly garden
     Each assigned a row

In spring we plant, in summer they grow
     In fall we have the harvest
To those who still refuse to see
     Their distance is the farthest

So with some tech from today
     He types these words that rhyme
A testimony for the seeds to come
     A testimony for all time

[Ross]

 :dsunny: :friendstu:

[Seth]

Why the "covenant of grace" is better than the "covenant of law"

The covenant of law reveals what the (our) flesh is (unrighteous) and does (sins)
The covenant of grace reveals what the (His) Spirit is (righteous) and does (loves)

If we love we do not sin; if we love we are righteous; if we love we are not of the flesh

The covenant of law only imparts a knowledge and surface (outer) understanding of sin,
where as
The covenant of grace not only imparts a knowledge and inner understanding of sin (the forgiveness of it because He loves us) but also imparts a knowledge and inner understanding of love which brings to life His Spirit in us so we now have an ability to love as He loves

The covenant of law (our tutor) only taught us what sin is, but it could not teach us what love is or how to love
The covenant of grace (Christ) not only teaches us what love is it also imparts His ability to love unto us so we can love others with His love

How do we show love to others, the same way He showed it to us, the forgiveness of sins

:thumbsup:

[marie glen]

As Jugghead read the quotes from Rose
     From Paul, whom Christ he won
Deep inside the heart of Jugghead
     A stirring had begun

Then sister Marie and brother Ross
     Spoke more words in love
The well now overflowing
     Like rain falling from above

Then Dandelion spoke again these words
     Love fulfilled the law
The sacrifice upon that hill
     It is finished ..... and we saw

Although he's never seen their faces
     Their hearts are seen each day
Through the eyes Christ Jesus
     The Life, the Truth, the Way

Joy and peace and patience
     These seeds are meant to grow
In our heavenly garden
     Each assigned a row

In spring we plant, in summer they grow
     In fall we have the harvest
To those who still refuse to see
     Their distance is the farthest

So with some tech from today
     He types these words that rhyme
A testimony for the seeds to come
     A testimony for all time

   :thumbsup: :thumbsup: awesome! very nicely written! :dsunny:

And so many great verses (and posts).. and here's a verse I read today i just had to come and post..

Luke 18:9 - Also He spoke this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous (the Law) and despised others:faint: : 10 "Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. 11 The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, 'God, I thank You that I am not like other men—extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this tax collector. 12 I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I possess.' 13 And the tax collector, standing afar off, would not so much as raise his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, 'God, be merciful to me a sinner!' 14 I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted. ...verily I say to you, Whoever may not receive the reign of God as a little child (humbly, and in simplicity? etc) may not enter into it." - Luke18:10-14,17

....trusted in themselves that they were righteous and despised others..

[rosered]

As Jugghead read the quotes from Rose
     From Paul, whom Christ he won
Deep inside the heart of Jugghead
     A stirring had begun

Then sister Marie and brother Ross
     Spoke more words in love
The well now overflowing
     Like rain falling from above

Then Dandelion spoke again these words
     Love fulfilled the law
The sacrifice upon that hill
     It is finished ..... and we saw

Although he's never seen their faces
     Their hearts are seen each day
Through the eyes Christ Jesus
     The Life, the Truth, the Way

Joy and peace and patience
     These seeds are meant to grow
In our heavenly garden
     Each assigned a row

In spring we plant, in summer they grow
     In fall we have the harvest
To those who still refuse to see
     Their distance is the farthest

So with some tech from today
     He types these words that rhyme
A testimony for the seeds to come
     A testimony for all time

   :thumbsup: :thumbsup: awesome! very nicely written! :dsunny:

And so many great verses (and posts).. and here's a verse I read today i just had to come and post..

Luke 18:9 - Also He spoke this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous (the Law) and despised others:faint: : 10 "Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. 11 The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, 'God, I thank You that I am not like other men—extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this tax collector. 12 I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I possess.' 13 And the tax collector, standing afar off, would not so much as raise his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, 'God, be merciful to me a sinner!' 14 I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted. ...verily I say to you, Whoever may not receive the reign of God as a little child (humbly, and in simplicity? etc) may not enter into it." - Luke18:10-14,17

....trusted in themselves that they were righteous and despised others..

  So beautiful !!!! :HeartThrob:  AMEN  THANK YOU  MARIE  :dsunny:      GLORY TO GOD!!! 

[joeteekay]

Just a few points concerning covenants and in reference to Juggheads first post. A covenant is an agreement between two parties, it is a contract. The old covenant failed because of the people, the nation of Isael. The new covenant will be better because that same nation will be given a heart of obedience.
The bible does not mention a covenant of grace or a covenant of law. The question is: are the Elect of God under any covenant, albeit the new covenant or a non-defined covenant of grace.

I have come to the opinion that we are not under any covenant. We are under grace and grace does not require any covenant or contract. We are drawn to Christ by the Father (John6:44) and not of our own choosing or volition. The book of Hebrews was written to the houses of Israel and Judah, not specifically for the nations (the uncircumcision). It is from the nations from whom are drawn to be Christians. Of course that does not exclude the Jews who are chosen to be a part of the body of Christ in this age. The Apostle Paul wrote to the uncircumcision, the Ecclesia, not to the physically circumcised (Israel and Judah). IMO the new covenant was brought in when Jesus died on the cross and will reach its full fulfilment the millennium.

Jer_31:31  Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah:
Heb_8:8  For finding fault with them, he saith, Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah:
Heb_8:13 In that he saith, A new covenant, he hath made the first old. Now that which decayeth and waxeth old is ready to vanish away.
Heb_12:24  And to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than that of Abel.
Heb_8:6  But now hath he obtained a more excellent ministry, by how much also he is the mediator of a better covenant, which was established upon better promises.

[micah7:9]

Just a few points concerning covenants and in reference to Juggheads first post. A covenant is an agreement between two parties, it is a contract. The old covenant failed because of the people, the nation of Isael. The new covenant will be better because that same nation will be given a heart of obedience.
The bible does not mention a covenant of grace or a covenant of law. The question is: are the Elect of God under any covenant, albeit the new covenant or a non-defined covenant of grace.

I have come to the opinion that we are not under any covenant. We are under grace and grace does not require any covenant or contract. We are drawn to Christ by the Father (John6:44) and not of our own choosing or volition. The book of Hebrews was written to the houses of Israel and Judah, not specifically for the nations (the uncircumcision). It is from the nations from whom are drawn to be Christians. Of course that does not exclude the Jews who are chosen to be a part of the body of Christ in this age. The Apostle Paul wrote to the uncircumcision, the Ecclesia, not to the physically circumcised (Israel and Judah). IMO the new covenant was brought in when Jesus died on the cross and will reach its full fulfilment the millennium.

Jer_31:31  Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah:
Heb_8:8  For finding fault with them, he saith, Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah:
Heb_8:13 In that he saith, A new covenant, he hath made the first old. Now that which decayeth and waxeth old is ready to vanish away.
Heb_12:24  And to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than that of Abel.
Heb_8:6  But now hath he obtained a more excellent ministry, by how much also he is the mediator of a better covenant, which was established upon better promises.

:thumbsup: :dsunny:

[rosered]

the new covenant is going to be spiritual the old was proving the test    there was NO MAN    Righteous no not one

  Saying the new covenant with Christ blood  does not exist is  dangerous

Just a few points concerning covenants and in reference to Juggheads first post. A covenant is an agreement between two parties, it is a contract. The old covenant failed because of the people, the nation of Isael. The new covenant will be better because that same nation will be given a heart of obedience.
The bible does not mention a covenant of grace or a covenant of law. The question is: are the Elect of God under any covenant, albeit the new covenant or a non-defined covenant of grace.

I have come to the opinion that we are not under any covenant. We are under grace and grace does not require any covenant or contract. We are drawn to Christ by the Father (John6:44) and not of our own choosing or volition. The book of Hebrews was written to the houses of Israel and Judah, not specifically for the nations (the uncircumcision). It is from the nations from whom are drawn to be Christians. Of course that does not exclude the Jews who are chosen to be a part of the body of Christ in this age. The Apostle Paul wrote to the uncircumcision, the Ecclesia, not to the physically circumcised (Israel and Judah). IMO the new covenant was brought in when Jesus died on the cross and will reach its full fulfilment the millennium.

Jer_31:31  Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah:
Heb_8:8  For finding fault with them, he saith, Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah:
Heb_8:13 In that he saith, A new covenant, he hath made the first old. Now that which decayeth and waxeth old is ready to vanish away.
Heb_12:24  And to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than that of Abel.
Heb_8:6  But now hath he obtained a more excellent ministry, by how much also he is the mediator of a better covenant, which was established upon better promises.

:thumbsup: :dsunny:

The new covenant is going to be spiritual the old was proving the test    there was NO MAN    Righteous no not one   none understood by the carnal mindset  Gods ways  , so many  proofs    in the bible it is evident   in my opinion      in Adam all have died  ,in Adam all die , in Adam all will die  as liars and thieves and    beasts   and murderers   this is a continuance  thing  going on    this mark is of the earthly and sensual  nature and is  devilish wisdom    .

The Lamb of God was   the perfect sacrifice  of Gods own  doing .

  Saying the new covenant with Christ blood   is  not in effect  is  in  dangerous  error   in my opinion , it even  speaks of    spitting on the  covenant of grace   IS crucify Christ a fresh and putting   Him to an open shame     ...

  Jesus own words are IF you keep my commandments       , that sounds like an agreement   between to parties to me ...
and what of the  spewing you out of my mouth in Rev  3  and Paul's  warning of being   counted a  castaway ?Paul's message is clear that the Old Law has been replaced by the New Covenant   as Jesus Christ being    KING AND LORD AND MASTER   and having the  preeminence in everything ......

   To many   things prove the grace of God is sufficient   for the  new and inner man, spiritual    being   put to the test     The Christ is with them and their helper , the Spirit is willing    and yet  the flesh is weak ,   we can see that  letting the   outer man rule and have the upper hand is a bad thing   and  still under the law  and covenant of   sin ,   great error and death ...

   Jesus spoke to the   natural man  , looking for some fruit , this being repentance , as a change of mind and heart  desiring spiritual things   , for healing   them  , some kind of spiritual rising  up  in faith  to the occasion    and showing some  works   , dead as they were they were trying  to believe God  as True !!

Hebrews 6 Hebrews 6 Young's Literal Translation (YLT)

6 Wherefore, having left the word of the beginning of the Christ, unto the perfection we may advance, not again a foundation laying of reformation from dead works, and of faith on God,
2 of the teaching of baptisms, of laying on also of hands, of rising again also of the dead, and of judgment age-during,
3 and this we will do, if God may permit,
4 for [it is] impossible for those once enlightened, having tasted also of the heavenly gift, and partakers having became of the Holy Spirit,
5 and did taste the good saying of God, the powers also of the coming age,
6 and having fallen away, again to renew [them] to reformation, having crucified again to themselves the Son of God, and exposed to public shame.
7 For earth, that is drinking in the rain many times coming upon it, and is bringing forth herbs fit for those because of whom also it is dressed, doth partake of blessing from God,
8 and that which is bearing thorns and briers [is] disapproved of, and nigh to cursing, whose end [is] for burning;
9 and we are persuaded, concerning you, beloved, the things that are better, and accompanying salvation, though even thus we speak,
10 for God is not unrighteous to forget your work, and the labour of the love, that ye shewed to His name, having ministered to the saints and ministering;
11 and we desire each one of you the same diligence to shew, unto the full assurance of the hope unto the end,
12 that ye may not become slothful, but followers of those who through faith and patient endurance are inheriting the promises.
13 For to Abraham God, having made promise, seeing He was able to swear by no greater, did swear by Himself,
14 saying, `Blessing indeed I will bless thee, and multiplying I will multiply thee;'
15 and so, having patiently endured, he did obtain the promise;
16 for men indeed do swear by the greater, and an end of all controversy to them for confirmation [is] the oath,
17 in which God, more abundantly willing to shew to the heirs of the promise the immutability of his counsel, did interpose by an oath,
18 that through two immutable things, in which [it is] impossible for God to lie, a strong comfort we may have who did flee for refuge to lay hold on the hope set before [us],
19 which we have, as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast, and entering into that within the vail,
20 whither a forerunner for us did enter -- Jesus, after the order of Melchisedek chief priest having become -- to the age.

  Just some thoughts it is not as easy as one thinks  it is the Lord whom removed the veil  though His own flesh   and gives us access to the Holy Things of God  ,
  of the same SWORD/WORD   OF THE SPIRIT   can keep us from it [ Gen 3 ....  24 yea, he casteth out the man, and causeth to dwell at the east of the garden of Eden the cherubs and the flame of the sword which is turning itself round to guard the way of the tree of life.

[bushy]

Exodus 19:...7 So Moses came and called the elders of the people, and set before them all these words which the LORD had commanded him. 8 All the people answered together and said, "All that the LORD has spoken we will do!" And Moses brought back the words of the people to the LORD.

I think these verses explain the first covenant, that it depended on the people fulfilling it's requirements themselves. Of course they failed, which was to prove they couldn't do it.

The second covenant was God's promise to do it for us.

Jeremiah 31:...32 not like the covenant which I made with their fathers in the day I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt, My covenant which they broke, although I was a husband to them," declares the LORD. 33 "But this is the covenant which I will make with the house of Israel after those days," declares the LORD, "I will put My law within them and on their heart I will write it; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people. 34 "They will not teach again, each man his neighbor and each man his brother, saying, 'Know the LORD,' for they will all know Me, from the least of them to the greatest of them," declares the LORD, "for I will forgive their iniquity, and their sin I will remember no more."...

This is a way better covenant than the first but most people don't understand it and are still looking at themselves to do it instead of understanding that God has promised to do it for us and for every last person that was ever born.

[eaglesway]

I agree. And I think the way God does it for us is by planting love in our hearts.

"Love does no ill to its neighbor" not because of the law but because it is love.

"A new commandment i give to you, love one another" because this is the command that fulfills ALL commands

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no Law.

It is the fruit of the Spirit, rather than the law now- because I have died. It is Christ living in me. And He has an abundance of love :o)

[rosered]

AMEN!!!!!!! Bushy  and EaglesWay !!

  what we  could not do   by the weakness of the flesh !Romans 8

Living in the Spirit  of Christ  and this anointing of the Holy Spirit  with the gifts of  healing and  Life in them .

...2For in Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life has set you free from the law of sin and death.

3For what the Law was powerless to do in that it was weakened by the flesh, God did by sending His own Son in likeness of sinful man, as an offering for sin.


He thus condemned sin in the flesh,


4so that the righteous standard of the Law might be fulfilled in us, who do not live according to the flesh but according to the Spirit....

   This is the finished work of the Cross ,    the error or sin in the flesh is already judged as  useless   and fruitless  works .
and   we   must bow the knee to Christ    as our King and Savior to be  redeemed  from the earth    and those Living works of the Holy Spirit  might be fulfilled in us   in my opinion ..
 

[joeteekay]

I agree. And I think the way God does it for us is by planting love in our hearts.

"Love does no ill to its neighbor" not because of the law but because it is love.

"A new commandment i give to you, love one another" because this is the command that fulfills ALL commands

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no Law.

It is the fruit of the Spirit, rather than the law now- because I have died. It is Christ living in me. And He has an abundance of love :o)

:thumbsup: EW. Excellent selection of relevant scriptures.

Rom_6:14  For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.
Rom_6:15  What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid.

[eaglesway]

Yes.

Sin will no longer have dominion over us, because love will. :)

[Dandelion]

1 John 4:7-8, Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love.

A beautiful, uplifting thread.

Thank you, all!

D.                       :dsunny:

[marie glen]

        "A beautiful, uplifting thread.." (Sister D.)

Amen! to that!

Bushy's post! ..Rose's description of the flawed nature! ..the "beastly one"..

And it all ends up at,

Yes.

Sin will no longer have dominion over us, because love will. :)

     ..."for all of us.."

I read a kool thing the other day which reminded me of this thread, that instead of going about trying to build a bridge to God (reconciliation) we should just get on the bridge He built.. 
  :mlaugh: I thought that was excellent!

[jugghead]

Have been busy the last few days and just got back on to read the posts (from 17 on)

Love the treasures everyone is bringing out of their storehouse, it is only because of the work of Christ IN US that these treasures can and
are being manifest

Talk about a perfect example of the word coming to life

Love you all brothers and sisters, WE ARE ONE IN CHRIST