Page 106 - Prophetic Word Newsletter Archive 2011

5th Witness: Let us consider now what Paul spoke to the believers in his
epistle to the Romans pertaining to eternal life.
“BUT NOW HAVING BEEN
SET FREE FROM SIN, AND This is a classic case in which the modern-day gospel misuses
HAVING BECOME SLAVES the Word of God in subtle ways. To make the point, read these
two verses together. Now just read Verse 23 apart from Verse 22.
OF GOD, YOU HAVE There is nothing wrong with what is stated in Verse 23, but the
YOUR FRUIT TO connecting word “for” tells you that it is a continuing thought of the
HOLINESS,
Verse above it (22).
AND THE END,
EVERLASTING We have no justifiable basis for separating Verse 22 from Verse
23. However, when this is done, an isolated “proof text” is used for
LIFE.
the present possession of the gift of eternal life. However, the
FOR THE WAGES OF SIN contextual setting of Verse 22 tells us specifically WHEN
IS DEATH, BUT THE GIFT
OF GOD IS ETERNAL LIFE “everlasting life” will be received as a gift from God: “and the end,
everlasting life.”
IN CHRIST JESUS OUR
LORD.”

Rom. 6:22-23

What does Paul place as the emphasis for “now”? It is in Verse 22 which leads into Verse 23. He
exhorts the believer that, having been set free from sin (by the new birth), he is “now” to become a
slave of God who brings forth the fruit of holiness in this present life. Then at “the end, everlasting life”
will be his. This is a call to discipleship. What Paul presents above is the “full gospel.” He states what
should be the present emphasis of a believer. It is to be a willing bond slave of Jesus Christ who has
set him free from the bondage of sin! The present emphasis is to be that of bringing forth fruits of
holiness (Hagimos-sanctification). The modern-day gospel has severed this confronting present priority
of holiness in favor of giving a present emphasis to the comforting “gift of eternal life in Christ Jesus.”
This is separating the conditions from the promise, is it not? Having been set free from sin, we are to
live in this life as believers fulfilling God’s present call of holiness unto the Lord with a visionary eye
upon the end, everlasting life!

Watch carefully for any presentation and use of this verse of Scripture (Rom. 6:23) in tracts and
preaching. I will dare say that you will rarely find it kept in context with the connecting verse which
states that eternal life comes at the end, not in the beginning, as the modern-day gospel conveys. I
cannot overstress to you the importance of considering Scripture in context!

6th Witness: The Sixth Chapter of Paul’s letter to the Galatians is written to the
brethren (6:1). The exhortation of Paul is “let us (the believers) not
“…HE WHO SOWS TO grow weary.” He includes himself in this picture of those who will
THE SPIRIT “reap in due season if we do not lose heart.” What will they reap in
due season? The context tells us: those who sow to the Spirit will
WILL OF THE
SPIRIT REAP reap of the Spirit everlasting life. Paul does not convey to the
EVERLASTING Galatians that they have already reaped eternal life, does he?

LIFE. Conversely, Paul warns believers not to be deceived, for if they
sow to the flesh they will reap of their flesh corruption:
AND LET US NOT
GROW WEARY… “ DO NOT BE DECEIVED, GOD IS NOT MOCKED;

IN DUE FOR WHATEVER A MAN SOWS, THAT HE WILL ALSO REAP.
SEASON WE FOR HE WHO SOWS TO HIS FLESH WILL OF THE FLESH REAP
SHALL REAP CORRUPTION, BUT HE WHO SOWS TO THE SPIRIT WILL OF THE

IF WE DO NOT LOSE SPIRIT REAP EVERLASTING LIFE.” Gal. 6:7-8
HEART.”
Gal. 6:8-9 No promise given here by the apostle Paul of “once saved-always
saved”, nor is a brand of “unconditional eternal security”

guaranteed the believer who continues to live a carnal lifestyle;
but rather, a sober warning that the believer will reap exactly
what he sows.