Fellowship Presbyterian Church Unknown

Paul concludes in verse 6, his 2 part statement. this is the positive part of this statement.-We are the people of the -But now-. We serve in the new way of the Spirit. We have been justified and the process of sanctification begins. We have died to the law, we are now released from what has kept us captive and we serve in the new way of the Spirit.

In a life full of discouragement, we need biblical encouragement. Unlike the worldly version of encouragement, true encouragement builds up with the promises of the Gospel. It is only as we encourage one another with the love of Christ that we will be truly encouraged to rest in the Lord and his promises.

verses 5 and 6 are one sentence. V. 5 is the negative half and v. 6 is the positive half. -Living in the flesh- Paul means here as the opposite of being in the Spirit. This means being unregenerated, or the natural state of man.-In this state our members bear the fruit for death.-But we have been released from the Law and died to the law which held us captive so that we serve in the new way of the Spirit.

This chapter follows the major theme of I Samuel, contrasting David against Saul. David was the better king, after God's own heart, that Israel needed. David was a good leader while Saul was an evil leader. Saul was merciless while David was merciful. In these ways and more, David prefigures Jesus Christ. Jesus is the only perfect and merciful leader and savior who welcomes all who come to him in faith.

I Samuel 21 records David's escape from Gibeah, to Nob, and then to Gath. During this period of David's life, the Lord was testing and preparing him to take the throne. Because he was under the grace of God, he was protected and delivered. God is the only safe refuge from the world and our own sin. Those who are in Christ can rest secure in the knowledge that their heavenly Father loves and protects them.

We are saved by what was done to Christ. We have died to the Law.-We have died in Christ. We now belong to Christ and may bear fruit for God.