The Victory of the New Man and Mysteries of God

By JOEL ZAO

This book completes a series on Paul's Letter to the Romans. Chasing Truth focused on Chapters 1-8 of the Letter, All Israel Shall Be Saved focused on Chapters 9-11. This final installment is a discussion of Chapters 12-16, which illustrates the practical application of the truths of the previous two books, providing a proper conclusion to the study.
Paul's Letter to the Romans lays the foundation of the faith he delivered to the Christian churches he founded in the first century. All subsequent assemblies, in order to carry out their rightful mission, should pattern their teaching and service to God according to Paul's pattern.
It is the author's opinion that departure from the teachings in Romans is the cause of weak faith in believers, and inadequate preparation needed to successfully build up the church, which is Christ's Body.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Dec 16, 2020
• ISBN: 9781664148604

Book preview

Copyright © 2021 by Joel Zao.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

Scripture quotations marked KJV are from the Holy Bible, King James Version (Authorized Version). First published in 1611. Quoted from the KJV Classic Reference Bible, Copyright © 1983 by The Zondervan Corporation.

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Getty Images are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Getty Images.

Rev. date: 12/16/2020

Xlibris

844-714-8691

www.Xlibris.com

799548

CONTENTS

Preface

Prologue

Chapter 1 The Victory of Love’s Service

Chapter 2 The Victory of Love’s Submission

Chapter 3 The Victory of Love’s Reconciliation

Chapter 4 The Victory of Love’s Cross

Chapter 5 The Victory of the High Calling

Epilogue

Acknowledgments

Appendix I

Appendix II

This book is dedicated to all like-minded believers who are seeking a more accurate understanding of Paul’s letter to Romans chapters 12–16 with a view to a revival in the body of Christ whereby the members display an obedience to the faith that Paul presented in his unique gospel.

PREFACE

Ten years has passed since I began discussing Paul’s first-century letter to the Christian believers in Rome through the written pages of two books: Chasing Truth and All Israel Shall Be Saved. The manuscripts were completed with a view to expand the understanding of Paul’s gospel to those who have embraced the message of the saving work of Jesus, God’s Son, the Messiah of Israel, and the savior of humanity. An increased knowledge of Him is the ultimate goal in presenting the discussions.

The objective is completed in this current narrative, outlining the final chapters of his letter to the Romans. The foundational truths of Paul’s gospel in Romans chapters 1–8, together with Paul’s revelation of the status of Israel in chapters 9–11, lead naturally into chapters 12–16, the concluding section of his Romans letter.

Paul was provided the puzzle pieces of God’s wondrous plan for the salvation of the entire creation. He was led by the Spirit to assemble and pen that which he called my gospel in the thirteen letters bearing his name, beginning with Romans.

Paul, in his letters, reviewed important events and facts from the old writings of Israel and then added new truth, which he received directly from Jesus, as he testified in his letter to the Galatians. The revelations provided to Paul, once known as Saul of Tarsus, converted the Lord’s fiercest opponent into His most loyal servant entrusted with the good news to the nations.

Much of the truth Paul revealed had its origin in the ancient writings of Israel’s prophets, kings, and scribes. When he supplemented God’s inspired oracles entrusted to Israel with revelations from Christ, his new faith emerged. The unique proclamation of Paul, in this new testament, is the essential message to all believers to hear and then to proclaim to others who are called out of the Gentiles to form the body of Christ.

Paul’s inspired writings, therefore, are the indispensable resource from which God wants you to discover and know the details of the Father’s saving truth of the accomplishments of Christ, both in His death and in His risen life. These foundational truths empower believers to proceed forth in increased faith, walking in the truth that illuminates God’s glory.

Paul’s letter to the Romans is the beginning point of the Christian faith. When these truths are held in common, a unity emerges that can overcome the hypocrisy of vain religion.

Looking back into the history of Israel, God chose Moses to free Jacob’s family from the bondage of Egypt to inaugurate a new nation under His divine law. Upon their miraculous release, Moses was chosen to receive the exact plans to assemble the tabernacle in the wilderness, where Israel could commune in fellowship with the God of their forefathers, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

Likewise, God chose David, from the tribe of Judah, to receive the plans for the magnificent temple to be erected in the Holy City of Jerusalem. However, because David, as a fierce warrior, shed much blood, the Lord instructed him to pass the construction plans to his son, Solomon, who would have the honor of erecting the holy structure.

In this present era, God chose Paul to be the master architect of the temple that is Christ’s body. The plans for the edifice are contained in Paul’s letters, the first section being found in the letter to the Romans, which is the foundation upon which the church will be built.

Truth, once received and then believed, must be walked out in the believer’s life as the just shall live by faith (Romans 1:17, Galatians 3:11, Hebrews 10:38, all taken from Habakkuk 2:4). This current and final manuscript, completing our discussion of Romans, is intended to aid your pursuit of the truth, providing the elements of faith of his gospel by which all believers are to walk and live. Paul’s message is intended to help liberate you to serve the Master, preparing you for His imminent return.

The final chapters of Paul’s letter to the Romans focus on the godly service that believers are called to render as they join with others in magnifying the saving work of Christ Jesus. His victorious life is to be lived through the members of His body.

As we discuss together the closing section of his letter, keep in mind that the foundational facts concerning the victory of our Lord are presented in the first eight chapters of Paul’s letter. These facts are converted into acts of faith. First come the facts, then as faith grows, the acts follow the increasing faith.

Without the clarity of the truths of Paul’s gospel, truly effective godly service remains missing in the church, which hinders the completion of the holy structure.

The main purpose of the victory of the New Man, and the mysteries of God is to help clarify Paul’s gospel that was presented at length in Chasing Truth. As supplemented with his view of the current standing of Israel discussed in All Israel Shall Be Saved, the following manuscript is presented to provide a vision of the victory God has in store for the New Man, created in Christ Jesus to walk in the good works ordained by the Father.

The main supplements to the text are sections from the four letters that follow Romans, 1 Corinthians to Ephesians, which contain expansions on Paul’s gospel centering on the cross of Christ.

PROLOGUE

Much of God’s Word may be a mystery to you. Do not be dismayed if you agree with the statement. Gospel truth remains a mystery until it is revealed by God’s spirit.

As you recognize and acknowledge your lack of understanding of His Word, you agree with God on this very point.

There is none that understandeth, There is none that seeketh after God. (Romans 3:11)

Paul quoted David the Psalmist in describing the dark condition of every human heart before enlightenment breaks forth from above.

What then? Are we better than they? No, in no wise: For we have before proved both Jews and Gentiles, that they are all under sin.

As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one.(Romans 3:9, 10)

This lamentable condition applies to all people without exception until the light of the gospel shines in their hearts, challenging the mind. Is it any wonder that Jesus was not acknowledged in Israel? Only a few, among many, were granted the sight to perceive His unique presence among them. God must first draw to Himself anyone who is to believe, then by His Spirit, He reveals His Son.

No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day. (John 6:44)

The Father drew the few who came to Christ when He was ministering to Israel. Those few will be raised at the last day.

Those who see Him while they live on earth, whether then or now, are drawn to His cross where He was crucified. Jesus proclaimed this divine process in John’s gospel.

And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me. (John 12:32)

Israel’s Messiah was promised in the ancient oracles of their prophets of God, foretelling His holy birth, life, suffering, death, and resurrection. A myriad of facts concerning Him were unveiled, most only partially, leaving much about Him hidden and vague.

When He actually came forth, most in Israel’s nation could not see the truth about Him, even though He lived among them, displaying His glory through His divine wisdom and works. They simply did not recognize Him beyond his plain human exterior. And they certainly did not realize that His crucifixion was ordained long before the nation of Israel came forth.

Isaiah foretold that He would not stand out from others.

Who has believed our message and to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed? He grew up before him like a tender shoot, and like a root out of dry ground. He had no beauty or majesty to attract us to him, nothing in his appearance that we should desire him. (Isaiah 53:1–2)

His true identity remained hidden to them until God, by His Spirit, opened the eyes of their understanding.

The essence of the hidden truth of God can only be realized by means of a revelation, an unfolding of the treasures lying under the surface. As it is written,

And I will give thee the treasures of darkness, and hidden riches of secret places, that thou mayest know that I, the Lord, which call thee by thy name, am the God of Israel. (Isaiah 45:3)

As Jesus called His close associates to join Him in the quest that His Father had planned, His words reached deep into their souls. When He called, they came without delay, seeking enlightenment, embracing a hope of His saving grace.

Through His words and deeds, as they became acquainted with Him, the certainty that He was the one sent to rescue Israel grew day by day. He was their cherished, long-anticipated Messiah. But the saving work to which He was called remained shrouded to them. They expected the Messiah to release them from the bondage of Roman rule, much like the release of Moses from the cruel servitude of Egypt.

Early in His journeys with His chosen group, He asked his disciples to clearly state their opinion of His identity as reported in Matthew 16:13–19. His searching question is cited in all three of the synoptic gospels, Matthew, Mark, and Luke.

13 When Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, Whom do men say that I the Son of man am?

14 And they said, Some say that thou art John the Baptist: some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets.

15 He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am?

16 And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.

17 And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.

18 And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

19 And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. (Matthew 16:13–19)

This incident may be the most important question Jesus posed to His close associates, as well as to us today, as we diligently search God’s Word for understanding.

Who is He?

Who is Jesus of Nazareth?

The Lord’s searching question received