Eph.4:14] That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive.
When we are born, there begins a process of time before we are able to walk, we must first learn to crawl, then stand before we can begin to walk. And once we have learned how to walk, then we become strengthened to be able to now run, and gain wisdom and maturity to walk on our feet in the ways in which we have been taught. But with that, we too are taught the dangers of where to walk, and where to not walk, for example, we are taught at a young age to not walk in the street, then we are taught to look both ways before crossing the street. And our Father knows that the walk of the Saint is vital to whom he is called to be in Christ as well. We are taught that our walk ought to be after the Spirit. And that our walk ought to be with the Spiritual mind and a selfless heart, but one could walk “as unto carnal,” and live a life in Christ whereby he can be “tossed to and fro,” and “carried about with every wind of doctrine.” And as Paul uses the term, “tossed to and fro,” and “carried about,” this applies to those who do not have a ‘firm standing,’ ones that are not strong, ones that are not steadfast and ‘withstanding’ by the doctrine. And as those that are in a strong wind during a storm, if they do not have a firm standing about them, they too could be moved, or tossed to and fro, or even carried about by the storm itself.
Eph 5:1 Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children;
Eph 5:2 And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour.
And as we can see in Ephesians chapter 5 we are taught to be followers of God, this is how we are to “walk,” and that is by following that godly design of his son. And as we see Paul say, as Christ also, this example is given for those who desire to walk as His son, and as “dear children,” not just “children” who could be tossed to and fro. And in Ephesians chapter 4, and Ephesians chapter 5, both Saints are heirs of God, both Saints are in Christ, but the difference is, the “children” in Ephesians chapter 4 are not doctrinally, and spiritually “perfect men” as the verses clearly say. It is by the Spiritual wisdom of the son of God that we are being perfected as Saints. It is by the knowledge of His word that we are to grow up unto. and this is how we are perfected and grow in the doctrine that Paul is going to later say we ought to continue to put on. And “dear children” would walk the way their Father designed, they would be followers of God, and their walk would be in love because the Lord Jesus Christ himself walked that way and we are being taught this selfless example as sons and daughters who desire to not just walk, but to be “led by” this selfless Identity given unto us. And just as mentioned at the outset about how a child would learn ‘where to walk,’ and where ‘not to walk,’ God has given us an ensample as we see in Ephesians chapter 5. Ephesians chapter 5 gives us the doctrine which is according to godliness, but then we are taught how we are not to walk, and the danger that it is to our Spiritual life in Christ. But then when you get to Ephesians chapter 6, you are taught to “be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.” Then you are being told to “put on the armor” as one who is “strong” in the faith, then Paul mentions about “standing,” and being able to “withstand,” and doing ‘all to stand,’ he mentions that we are ready for battle, and ready to “wrestle” against spiritual wickedness for Christ’s sake.
1stCor.3:1] And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ.
[2] I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able.
Moreover, the brethren in chapter 3 and in chapter 16 are both in Christ. And the interesting thing about this is, so is the House of Stephanas. They are Saints and in Christ, and they are brethren as well. But the House of Stephanas has addicted themselves to the ministry of the Saints, their walk is not as the Saints in chapter 3, and in chapter 16, Paul says that these Saints ought to submit themselves onto the House of Stephanas for the perfecting of their faith. The household of Stephanas became addicted to the ministry of the Saints because of their selfless love for Christ’s sake, and for the word of God and for the Saint’s sake. They for lead by the Spirit, they walked in the Spirit, and they knew the things that God had prepared for them because they loved God with his selfless love. They were operating upon the mind of Christ, they were able to judge all things, because they knew what things pertain to God, they knew these things pertain to our inner man only, and they had a Spiritual mind knowing the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God, and the carnal mind cannot please God.
1st Cor.16:15] I beseech you, brethren, (ye know the house of Stephanas, that it is the firstfruits of Achaia, and that they have addicted themselves to the ministry of the saints,)
[16] That ye submit yourselves unto such, and to every one that helpeth with us, and laboureth.
Finally, in order to be “followers of God,” and to be “led by the Spirit,” we must first be Spiritually ‘able’ to “walk” in the Spirit. And also, in order to “walk after the Spirit,” we must first be able to “stand” in the doctrine. And whether we know it or not in Christ, there is a process of wisdom and understanding in everything we do in life, and there is a process of wisdom and understanding as we mature doctrinally in Christ as well. Our adoption as sons Is vital to who we are in Christ, but many do not see this vital truth that God desires more than the Saint being just justified unto eternal life, and waiting on the rapture to come, or his death to be with Christ in heaven, and waiting for the future reward of glory in heavenly places at the judgment seat of Christ. Walking in godliness today as sons is what our Father desires, and as we see Ephesians chapter four children, and Ephesians chapter 5 dear children are all children in Christ, but the ones who are dear children, they are followers of God and walking in love as Christ also. And the household of Stephanas, and the babes in Christ in chapter 3 are all in Christ, but one group of Saints desired to live on to their father, and walk after the doctrine which is according to godliness, and out of selfless love they addicted themselves to the ministry of God. This is what we see Paul say in Romans chapter 8 about being a “debtor” right before he mentions in the verses below about those being led by the spirit of God. Not All Saints are going to be debtors to “live after the Spirit,” some people “in Christ” are going to be debtors “to the flesh” in Christ, this verse is conditional. And so is verse 13, we in Christ could live after our flesh, or we could live after the Spirit and mortify the deeds of the body, and as the verse says ye shall live, this verse is also conditional. So why would verse 14 which says “for as many as are led by the Spirit, they are the sons of God” be not conditional? We in Christ who are ‘led by” the living word of the living God says that we are sons of God; in this context. Because this is what a “dear” son would do, he would be led by his father’s word alone, this is how he would walk his life, and he would live the way his father designed with the Spiritual mind, and a selfless heart as a debtor, just as verse 17 is also condition.
Rom 8:12 Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh.
Rom 8:13 For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.
Rom 8:14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.
Rom 8:15 For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.
Rom 8:16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:
Rom 8:17 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.
Rod Jones
SUPPLY OF GRACE 
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