Romans 16:25-27 Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began, But now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith: To God only wise, be glory through Jesus Christ for ever. Amen.

Paul sums up all of Romans with these last three verses of that epistle. There are many powerful meaningful words here and many teachers has been focused on each one. Power, establishment, gospel, preaching, revelation, mystery, secret, manifestation, scriptures, prophets, commandments, knowledge, obedience, faith and last but not least by any means glorification.

For years I focused on the obedience of faith, knowing that all that came before that point was for that point, compliance. It occurred to me this morning as I set out to write about being compliant, that obedience of faith is not the end product. Glory is the end product. Not our glory by God’s glory.

Romans 8:30 Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.

Called, justified, and then glorified. See how it was God who called, God who justified and God who is glorified. God thru the power of the Holy Spirit enacts His will towards that end.

Romans 8:26-27 Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.

The potter (God) makes the lump of clay (us) compliant by soaking the clay in water (Holy Spirit). Image making begins with making the lump compliant first, not last.

John10:10b I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.

What do you think of when you hear abundant life? Do you think affluence? Do you think influence? Do you think life? I dare say most people do not think about life itself when they think abundance. We think about things, concepts, and self-pleasure.

If you truly understood what Jesus means by declaring that He is going to give you an abundant life you might question all of you previous assumptions. What if I were to tell you that Jesus really was saying, “I come to give you more of me.”

John 14:6a Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life:

Jesus is the life. Jesus is life. The concepts lost on new believers are the issues of Lordship, surrender and service. New believers usually think about what they can gain from an abundant life they have yet to understand, experience or appreciate.

So much focus is placed on gifts, talents and rewards in an effort to motivate new believers that the first essential truth of Christianity takes a back seat. You have no life without Christ. Cry freedom all you want because that too is misunderstood by initiates. You are free from the bondage of sin, but are now captivated by the love of Christ. Captured you are and a better life it is for sure, but do not misunderstand you are captivated.

2 Corinthians 10:3-6 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ; And having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled.