Posted by Chris The following verses speak of Paul being 'bound in the spirit', 'constrained', and in the reference in Luke's gospel, the Lord Himself says that he was 'straitened' . (Act 20:22) And now, behold, I go 'bound in the spirit' unto Jerusalem, not knowing the things that shall befall me there: (1Co 9:16) For though I preach the gospel, I have nothing to glory of: for necessity (constraint) is laid upon me; yea, woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel! (1Co 9:17) For if I do this thing willingly, I have a reward: but if against my will, a dispensation of the gospel is committed unto me. (Luk 12:50) But I have a baptism to be baptized with; and how am I straitened (compressed - arrested as a prisoner) till it be accomplished! (2Co 5:13) For whether we be beside ourselves, it is to God: or whether we be sober, it is for your cause. (2Co 5:14) FOR THE LOVE OF CHRIST CONSTRAINETH US; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead: (2Co 5:15) And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again. (2Co 5:16) Wherefore henceforth know we no man after the flesh: yea, though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now henceforth know we him no more. (2Co 5:17) Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. (2Co 5:18) And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; (2Co 5:19) 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. (2Co 5:20) 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. (2Co 5:21) 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. There is nothing to be added here, because the text speaks for itself, except that the flesh counted for nothing with either our Lord, or with Paul. With both, they were exhorted by disciples and fellow believers not to 'go up to Jerusalem' but they were set like flint to follow the path that was set before them, despising the shame. Peter said 'Nay Lord,' the Lord's answer was not to Peter but to the one who would use the flesh to hold back God's purposes, and was using Peters natural sympathies to do so, 'Get thee behind me Satan'. Paul also heard those to whom the spirit had revealed that imprisonment and hardship awaited him, yet he counted his life a small thing in comparison to going on to accomplish that for which he had been placed under constraint. With love in Christ Jesus Chris
on 12/8/2006, 7:55 am
81.132.196.140
HELLO
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